EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Two months ago, around the time the Minnesota Vikings were losing their second preseason game, Adrian Peterson was given some surprising news. The star running back says he found out then he had a 2-year-old son living in Sioux Falls, S.D., named Tyrese Robert Ruffin. He had been working with Tyreses mother to arrange a meeting with the boy when he received a call last week that the child was in the hospital with severe injuries. Peterson raced to South Dakota last Thursday, where he saw little Tyrese for the first time. The boy died a day later in an alleged case of child abuse, and Peterson has been trying to come to grips with it ever since. Peterson attended Tyreses funeral Wednesday and returned to Minnesota for practice on Thursday. His voice wavered when he discussed Tyrese publicly for the first time, trying to grapple with mourning the death of a son he never got to know. "I was planning on seeing him. I had a talk with his mom and we got some things together as far as financially helping her," Peterson said. "Unfortunately, this situation took place. Its devastating." A man the boys mother was dating, 27-year-old Joseph Patterson, is being held on charges of aggravated assault and aggravated battery. Tyrese died after Patterson was arrested, and prosecutors plan to convene a grand jury to consider more serious charges. "It was a difficult day, just taking in the circumstance and the whole situation," Peterson said of the funeral. "A child was buried. Thats difficult for anyone." Peterson played against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, rushing for 62 yards on 10 carries in a 35-10 loss, and he plans to play against the New York Giants on Monday night. Its been a theme for Peterson for nearly his entire life -- football has been a refuge in difficult times ever since he was a youth. "A lot of people wont ever understand the situation that Im in and see it the way Im seeing the situation," he said. "Its tough, but Im able to deal with that and got a good supporting cast around me thats been supporting me through this tough time." Peterson thanked his teammates and the Vikings organization for their support. "Theyve been great, organization, teammates, theyve been supporting me as well," he said. "I cant tell you how many calls Ive gotten and texts from the guys up top in the organization and players just making sure that Im OK and Im doing well." He has always prided himself on finding the positivity even in the darkest of times -- and now he finds himself searching again. "Im standing strong, man. I am," Peterson said. "My main focus has been on my son and their family down there in Sioux Falls. Just trying to wrap my head around things and trying to stay focused and play ball as well. So things have been tough, but I can handle a lot. Im built for anything that comes my way. This right here will pass." Peterson said he has been in touch with authorities in South Dakota to stay on top of the proceedings and didnt expect to miss any more time this season to deal with the situation. "I have the contacts that I need to be able to stay involved as far as the investigation," he said. NOTES: Peterson only practiced on a limited basis on Thursday because of a sore hamstring. ... K Blair Walsh (left hamstring), S Harrison Smith (turf toe on left foot) and CB A.J. Jefferson (right ankle) did not practice. Vans Shoes Clearance . -- Kevin Harvick pulled away on a restart with 47 laps to go and ended Chase Elliotts two-race winning streak in NASCARs Nationwide Series with a dominating victory early Saturday at Richmond International Raceway. Cheap Vans Shoes China . Its other five picks were all six foot or better, with three at 6-1 or above. Third-round pick Brett Lernout stands six foot four and weighs 206 pounds. http://www.cheapvansfromchina.com/. But history aside, theyre still happy to participate in the Par 3 contest, traditionally held on the day prior to the first round of the Masters. Discount Vans Shoes . The 25-year-old Lu, a regular on the Japan LPGA Tour after giving up her LPGA Tour membership in 2010, shot an 8-under 64 in windy, wet conditions at Kintetsu Kashikojima. Cheap Vans Shoes Wholesale . Tortorella told The Vancouver Province hell be cheering for Team Sweden to win gold when they take on the defending Olympic champions on Sunday morning. "I hope Sweden wins, cause I dont think Hammer (Dan Hamhuis) is going to play, judging by whats happened.The Ottawa Redblacks, the CFLs newest franchise, made team history once again on Monday. They signed their first kicker. Ottawa inked Nick Setta, a 32-year-old native of Lockport, Illinois, to a contract. Setta played his college ball at Notre Dame and broke into the CFL in 2007 with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.dddddddddddd He was named an All-Star in his first two seasons in the league. He was released by the Ti-Cats in 2010. ' ' '