Peterson unable to practice

Minnesota’s sputtering offense could be without its biggest star against Carolina on Sunday.

Running back Adrian Peterson, the NFL’s leading rusher and 2007 offensive rookie of the year, sat out practice Thursday because of a hamstring injury. Peterson said he was hopeful to play against the Panthers, but he took a step back one day after practicing on a limited basis.

“It’s a concern,” Coach Brad Childress said. “Your legs are your legs. We’ll just see how he comes out by the time we get to Sunday.”

Before practice, Peterson told reporters he injured the hamstring late in last weekend’s 18-15 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.

Peterson did not specify which leg was injured, only saying it was “pretty sore.”

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Prosecutors have filed two counts of simple battery against Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall stemming from a six-month-old domestic violence complaint.

The charges were filed Sept. 10 in Fulton County State Court. Police allege Marshall threw his ex-girlfriend on a bed, slapped her and damaged an Atlanta apartment March 4.

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A billionaire suitor withdrew his offer to buy a majority stake of the Pittsburgh Steelers, saying the Rooney family, which owns the team, needs more time to consider its options.

Stanley Druckenmiller issued a statement saying he “removed himself from the process.”

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Steelers linebacker James Farrior was fined $7,500 by the NFL for making an obscene gesture toward Cleveland Browns fans on Sunday night.

Farrior made the gesture during the third quarter of the Steelers’ 10-6 win, saying afterward he was upset because fans were celebrating a minor injury to safety Ryan Clark.