Adrian Peterson trial tentatively scheduled for Dec. 1

A Dec. 1 trial date was tentatively set for Adrian Peterson during his appearance in a Houston courtroom Wednesday morning. Peterson faces felony child abuse charges for hitting his 4-year-old son with a switch. Peterson's lawyer, Rusty Hardin, requested that the trial take place the week before Thanksgiving, but the docket wouldn't allow it.

Instead, District Judge Kelly W. Case gave the Dec. 1 trial date a preferential setting. It's still a possibility, however, that space could open up on the docket and the trial moves to November.

Peterson, dressed in a black suit and tie, entered a crowded courtroom but did not speak, sitting quietly throughout the process. Citing Peterson's deactivation from the NFL, and his inability to publicly defend himself against various accusations, Hardin told the judge that they wanted the case to be resolved as soon as possible in order for the Minnesota Vikings running back to be able to continue making a living. Peterson has not played since Week 1 of the NFL season.

The Montgomery County DA asked that Judge Case apologize and recuse himself from the case after calling both he and Hardin "media whores" throughout the process. The judge apologized, but would not recuse himself.

Peterson has been under heavy criticism this week after a Minnesota Star-Tribune report Monday detailed rape allegations and a sham charity. Firing back at the media Tuesday, Peterson denied that his charity, The All Day Foundation, has misused funds.