May 18: in Montgomery County, Texas, according to police reports, Peterson disciplined one of his sons for pushing another son. Peterson used a switch, or a thin offshoot of a tree branch, to discipline the child, resulting in cuts and bruises. 

A few days later, the child returned to his mother in Minnesota, who, upon seeing the marks, took the child to the doctor. The doctor, acting on fears of child endangerment, reported the child's injuries to authorities. 

Sept. 11: Peterson missed practice for what coach Mike Zimmer called a "veterans' day off." 

Sept. 12: in Montgomery County, Texas, Peterson is indicted for reckless or negligent injury to a child 

Sept. 12: the Vikings announced Peterson will be deactivated for game vs Patriots.

Sept. 13: Peterson turns himself in to authorities in Texas. He paid a $15,000 bond and was released.

Sept. 15: Peterson issues a statement, saying he was trying to discipline his child, not cause bodily harm, but apologizing for the incident, and that he has sought counseling. He said, in part: "I have to live with the fact that when I disciplined my son the way I was disciplined as a child, I caused an injury that I never intended or thought would happen. I know that many people disagree with the way I disciplined my child. I also understand after meeting with a psychologist that there are other alternative ways of disciplining a child that may be more appropriate. … I am not a perfect son. I am not a perfect husband. I am not a perfect parent, but I am, without a doubt, not a child abuser." 

Also Sept. 15: Vikings, after Peterson's statement was released, opted to reinstate Peterson, saying they believed Peterson's stance, that he was disciplining his child. 

Sept. 16: public outcry over the Vikings' decision to let Peterson play gets much louder, with the governor of Minnesota decrying the actions of Peterson and the team, calling it "a public embarrassment." Sponsors also begin expressing concern.

Sept. 17: Vikings placed Peterson on the exempt/commissioner's exempt list, barring him from all team activities for the remainder of the season. Peterson is still getting paid and counting against the team's salary cap.

Sept. 17: Nike and Castrol suspend their sponsorship of Peterson. 

Sept. 19: authorities in Minnesota filed a petition seeking a protective order for Peterson's 4-year-old son, the one whose injuries spurred the indictment. 

Nov. 4: pleaded "no contest" in state court in Montgomery County, Texas to reckless assault of the child

Nov. 18: The NFL announces that Peterson will be suspended for the rest of the season. The running back is appealing that decision.

Feb. 6: Peterson appears in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis as Judge David Doty hears Peterson's appeal to try and overturn the decision.

Feb. 26: Doty's overturns the NFL suspension and sends it back to the league. The league announces it will appeal to the Eight Circuit Court of Appeals.

April 16: Advised by NFL of reinstatement as active player effective Friday, April 17.