Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson arrived at a Conroe, Tex., courthouse for his arraignment Wednesday morning prepared to plead not guilty to a felony child abuse charge. But the hearing never got that far, and Peterson’s chances for a speedy trial and a swift return to the N.F.L. appear murky.

Although Judge Kelly Case of the state’s Ninth District Court, in Montgomery County, set a tentative trial date of Dec. 1, District Attorney Brett Ligon of Montgomery County filed a motion asking Case to recuse himself. Ligon accused Case of personal bias toward him and questioned his impartiality.

The motion, obtained by The New York Times, claims Case colluded with Peterson’s lawyers to speed up Peterson’s trial date without consulting with his office. Ligon also objected to an alleged remark by Case at the courthouse last week that suggested that Ligon and Rusty Hardin, Peterson’s lawyer, were seeking news media attention. A hearing on the recusal motion was scheduled for Nov. 4.

The trial could be delayed if it is transferred to another judge. Even if it remains on Case’s docket, the timing makes Peterson’s return to the N.F.L. this season unlikely, and Peterson may still face a suspension of up to six weeks under the terms of the N.F.L.’s new domestic violence policy. The Vikings end the regular season on Dec. 28.