It didn't take long for the Minnesota Vikings to reverse their principled stance against star running back Adrian Peterson, who they deactivated for yesterday's game.

The Minnesota Vikings reinstated star running back Adrian Peterson on Monday, three days after benching him because he was facing a child-abuse charge in Texas for using a wooden switch to spank his 4-year-old son.

Vikings owners Zygi and Mark Wilf said the decision to bring back Peterson for practices and Sunday's game at New Orleans was made "after significant thought, discussion and consideration." Peterson was deactivated for Sunday's 30-7 loss to the New England Patriots after he was charged with striking his 4-year-old son with a tree branch this summer.

The Wilfs say they want to let the legal process play out before making any more definitive decisions on Peterson's future with the team.

I wonder if Zygi will say they never saw the photos of Peterson's bruised and bloodied four year old son?

It wasn't long ago that the Vikings suspended a player for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend which lasted 10 games, but then again, he's not Adrian Peterson:

In 2011, the Vikings suspended cornerback Chris Cook with pay after he was arrested for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend and barred him from all team activities while his trial played out. Cook wound up missing 10 games and was eventually acquitted. He never faced discipline from the NFL and played two more seasons with the Vikings before signing with the 49ers.

This is just ugly all the way around.

I hope Minny fans protest vehemently at their home game this week against the Patriots.