The Minnesota Vikings on Friday deactivated running back Adrian Peterson for Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots. A warrant was issued for Peterson’s arrest.

Earlier in the day, a Montgomery County, Texas, grand jury indicted Peterson of reckless or negligent injury to a child.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported that the boy lives with his mother in Minnesota and had traveled to Texas with Peterson several months ago when the incident is alleged to have taken place.

A reporter for a Houston radio station tweeted Friday that he had read the police report and heard recordings of Peterson’s calls to police.

Nick Wright tweeted: The alleged injuries are to Peterson’s 4-year-old child. Peterson allegedly “whooped” his child with a “switch” from a tree.

—The NFL Players Association on Friday approved a new drug policy. Among the revisions are changes that include the implementation of testing for human growth hormone and an alteration of the marijuana policy.

The 32 NFL player representatives voted unanimously for the changes. Now, the league and the union must finalize the full policies and are expected to do so as soon as possible.

Suspended players including Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon and Denver Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker are expected to see their suspensions reduced or halted when the new regulations are implemented. Dallas Cowboys cornerback Orlando Scandrick is expected to play Sunday at Tennessee if the agreement is finalized.

Gordon’s yearlong suspension will be reduced to 10 games. Welker is expected to be activated and be available to play when the Broncos play the Chiefs on Sunday provided he is medically cleared. Welker was diagnosed with a concussion Aug. 24, his third such documented head injury in 10 months.

–The NFL Players Association received official confirmation from the NFL that former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice is suspended indefinitely.

The letter, signed by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and obtained by ESPN, explains that the league concluded Rice’s original two-game suspension for assaulting his then-fiance and now-wife, Janay Palmer, should be indefinite because video released by TMZ Sports on Monday showed Rice in the act of striking her in an Atlantic City hotel casino elevator.

NFLPA spokesman George Attalah told ESPN on Friday that the union is “considering all options” now that it has the letter. The union has three days to inform the league whether it intends to appeal.

–Monday’s court hearing for San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Ray McDonald has been postponed as police need more time to continue their investigation. McDonald was arrested Aug. 31 on suspicion of domestic violence.

McDonald was accused of hitting his pregnant fiancée. He met with police last week and maintains his innocence.

McDonald has not been formally charged and he has remained on the field for the 49ers. The team’s management has cited “due process” in allowing McDonald to continue playing.

“(My) character is, I will not punish somebody until we see evidence that it should be done or before an entire organization, an entire legal, police investigation, shows us something,” CEO Jed York told a Bay Area radio station this week.

–The Carolina Panthers will continue to allow defensive end Greg Hardy to play until the legal system involving his domestic violence case plays out, head coach Ron Rivera said.

Hardy will start as usual in Sunday’s home opener against the Detroit Lions.

The 2013 Pro Bowl selection was found guilty in July by a Mecklenburg County judge of assaulting and threatening ex-girlfriend Nicole Holder. He appealed the verdict and a jury trial has been set for Nov. 17. But Hardy’s attorney said the case won’t be heard until 2015 because of the court’s backload. Under North Carolina law involving defendants convicted of a misdemeanor, the jury trial will take place as if no previous trial took place.

—Atlanta Falcons left tackle Jake Matthews tried to test his injured ankle at practice, but he was ruled out for Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Matthews suffered the left ankle injury in the first half of last week’s 37-34 overtime win over the New Orleans Saints. He exited the stadium in a walking boot. Gabe Carimi will start at left tackle for Matthews, with Lamar Holmes at right tackle.

Wide receiver Roddy White was