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Two-year-old thought to be son of NFL running back dies after assault

ABOVE: Adrian Peterson speaks to reporters about the alleged attack on his son, as well as whether he plans to play on Sunday

Sioux Falls police say that a two-year-old boy has died after being hospitalized for severe injuries in Sioux Falls on Wednesday.

The child is believed to be the son of Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson.

His father, Nelson Peterson, previously told the St. Paul Pioneer Press that one of Peterson’s sons was in critical condition at a hospital in South Dakota. In a statement obtained by Global News Friday evening, Sioux Falls police said they are withholding the name of the 2-year-old boy until family can be notified. They plan to release the child’s name to the public next week.

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Police described the child’s condition as consistent with abuse.

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The man accused in the case, Joseph Patterson, 27, is charged in Lincoln County with aggravated assault and aggravated battery on an infant. He had a court appearance Friday and was ordered held on $750,000 cash bond.

WATCH: Lincoln County States Attorney Tom Wollman talks about the charges against 27-year-old Joseph Robert Patterson

Peterson declined to speak Friday specifically about the situation, asking reporters to respect his and his family’s privacy.

Peterson is second in the NFL with 421 yards rushing and first in the league with five touchdowns.

The Vikings (1-3) host the Carolina Panthers (1-3) on Sunday.

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