( CNN ) -- A grand jury has indicted star NFL running back Adrian Peterson on a felony charge of injury to a child , spurring the Montgomery County , Texas , Sheriff 's Office to issue a warrant for his arrest . Authorities did n't divulge details Friday about what led to the charge . But Peterson 's lawyer said the `` charged conduct involves using a switch to spank his son '' -- explaining that his client did so while doling out discipline `` much like `` he experienced as a child growing up in east Texas . '' Rusty Hardin said `` Adrian never intended to harm his son and deeply regrets the unintentional injury . '' Rather , Hardin characterized the former NFL MVP as `` a loving father who used his judgment as a parent to discipline his son . '' Peterson will travel to Houston and will then `` post bond as soon as it can be arranged , '' according to Hardin . `` ( Peterson ) will continue to insist on his innocence of any intended wrongdoing , '' the lawyer said . Hardin claims that his client has `` cooperated fully with authorities and voluntarily testified before the grand jury for several hours . '' `` Adrian will address the charges with the same respect and responsiveness he has brought to this inquiry from its beginning , '' the lawyer said . Right after news broke of the indictment , the Vikings released a statement saying they were `` in the process of gathering information regarding the legal situation . '' The team came back a short time later to announce that its offensive catalyst has been deactivated for Sunday 's game against the New England Patriots . According to Texas law , a person can be convicted of an injury to a child offense if they are proven to have caused bodily or mental injury `` intentionally , knowingly , recklessly or with criminal negligence '' or causing such harm by omission . A child , by this definition , must be 14 years old or younger . Peterson 's indictment prompted a flurry of reaction on Twitter . Some defended him and criticized authorities for pressing charges , saying that such forms of discipline are common and acceptable . `` Adrian Peterson was indicted in TX for swatting his son with a switch ! Who knew that was illegal , cuz my mama would b in jail ! '' tweeted comedian D.L . Hughley . Others came down hard on the Vikings star , including one man who was `` sickened . '' `` Anyone who defends this is a coward , '' one person tweeted . 2-year-old son allegedly killed by another man . The alleged criminal offense took place in Montgomery County , which is north of Houston . The 29-year-old Peterson grew up in Palestine , Texas , which is 150 miles north of Houston and 100 miles southeast of Dallas . A running back for the Vikings since 2007 , he rushed for 75 yards in his team 's season-opening 34-6 rout of the St. Louis Rams . In 2012 , he was named the league 's most valuable player when he ran for 2,097 yards , just nine yards short of the single-season mark , the NFL said . For all his exploits on the field , Peterson has dealt with heartache and headaches . That includes the death of his brother in 2007 , a day before he participated in the NFL 's skill testing event for potential draft picks . And last year , Peterson 's 2-year-old son died after allegedly being abused by another man . Authorities in Sioux Falls , South Dakota , found that child unresponsive , and later determined he 'd suffered injuries to his head consistent with abuse . Joseph Robert Patterson , the boyfriend of the boy 's mother , was arrested and eventually charged with murder . Patterson has denied the charge and said the boy choked on strawberry fruit snacks , the Argus Leader of Sioux Falls , South Dakota , reported . News of Peterson 's indictment casts another shadow over the NFL , which is reeling from the fallout over then-Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Ric allegedly punching his then-fiancee Janay Palmer in a casino elevator . A New Jersey grand jury indicted Rice for third-degree aggravated assault ; he pleaded not guilty and entered a pretrial intervention program for first-time offenders that could clear him if he successfully completes the requirements . CNN 's Michael Martinez and Jill Martin contributed to this report .
NEW : A variety of Twitter reaction to charges . Peterson 's attorney says the charge stemmed from `` using a switch to spank his son '' `` Adrian ... deeply regrets the unintentional injury , '' the lawyer Peterson adds . Peterson was the the New England Patriots MVP in last year ; his 2-year-old son died 2012 .