

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson leaves court accompanied by his wife, Ashley Brown Peterson, in Conroe, Texas, on Oct. 8. (Billy Smith II/AP/Houston Chronicle)

Suspended Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has pleaded “not guilty” to a felony child abuse charge, Bloomberg reports. Peterson made his plea in writing Oct. 8 after his initial appearance in a Montgomery County, Texas, district court, but the plea only became pubic on Monday.

Peterson, who had been expected to plead not guilty, is scheduled to appear in court next on Nov. 12. His trial tentatively has been set for Dec. 1. However, prosecutors have asked that Peterson be taken into custody now for admitting to marijuana use. Peterson, who is free on bond, had to submit to drug tests as one of the conditions.

Peterson, who was charged with reckless or negligent injury to a child in September, has not played since the Vikings benched him after the allegations surfaced. On Sept. 17, Peterson agreed to be put on the NFL’s exempt commissioner’s list, where he can still collect his $11.75 million salary even if he cannot participate in team activities.

If convicted, Peterson could face six months to two years in prison, but probation is also a possibility. Although it is unlikely Peterson’s football career would resume as it was should he be found guilty, if he does find his way back into the league, he would then face an NFL-imposed punishment— which, at a minimum, would span six weeks.