The NFL notified Adrian Peterson Tuesday that he was suspended without pay for the rest of the season.
In a statement, the NFL said Peterson will not be considered for reinstatement before April 15 for violating the league's personal conduct policy by inflicting "abusive discipline" on his 4-year-old son last May.
Earlier this month, Peterson pleaded no contest to reckless assault of the child in a court hearing in Texas.
In a letter to Peterson, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell outlined a two-step program of counseling and treatment to determine the length of his suspension.
"You must commit yourself to your counseling and rehabilitative effort, properly care for your children and have no further violations of law or league policy," Goodell wrote.
The Vikings said in a statement, "We respect the league's decision and will have no further comment at this time."
The NFL Players Association said it would appeal Peterson's suspension and demand for a "neutral arbitrator" to oversee the appeal.
Peterson has to appeal the decision within three business days. If he appeals, he will remain on the Exempt List and continue to be paid pending a decision.
According to the NFL's statement, neither Peterson or the Players Association provided information that would help in evaluating his conduct despite repeated requests. The NFL said that Peterson and the NFLPA refused to participate in a hearing to review his case on Nov. 14.
"The injury inflicted on your son includes the emotional and psychological trauma to a young child who suffers criminal abuse at the hands of his father," Goodell wrote to Peterson.
Describing the aggravating circumstances in Peterson's case, Goodell wrote, "First, the injury was inflicted on a child who was only four years old. The difference in size and strength between you and the child is significant, and your actions clearly caused physical injury to the child. While an adult may have a number of options when confronted with abuse — to flee, to fight back, or to seek help from law enforcement — none of those options is realistically available to a four-year old child."
He also equated Peterson's repetitive use of a switch to whip his son to a weapon "particularly in the hands of someone with the strength of an accomplished professional athlete."
Goodell said there was serious concern that Peterson could engage in similar behavior in the future because he has shown "no meaningful remorse" for his conduct.
Peterson will be subject to periodic reviews starting April 15, 2015, to see the extent to which he has complied with his counseling and therapy program and whether he is committed to change his conduct. His failure to cooperate and follow the plan will result in a lengthier suspension without pay.
"The well-being of your children is of paramount concern," Goodell said in the letter. "It is imperative that you to avoid any incident of this kind in the future. Any further violation of the Personal Conduct Policy will result in additional discipline and may subject you to banishment from the NFL."