Brent Schrotenboer

USA TODAY Sports

CONROE, Texas – Minnesota Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson wants his felony child abuse case to go to trial as quickly as possible, even though it probably won't happen soon enough to get him back on the field in 2014.

A tentative trial date of Dec. 1 was set Wednesday here in court with Peterson and his family in attendance. While Peterson did not enter a plea as expected, his attorney, Rusty Hardin, told USA TODAY Sports to consider Peterson as entering a plea of not guilty.

The bigger issue Wednesday involved a controversy between two other powerful figures in the case -- the judge and the district attorney. Montgomery County District Attorney Brett Ligon is asking the current judge, Kelly Case, to recuse himself because of a remark the judge recently made about both Hardin and Ligon.

A video feed of Wednesday's proceedings captured a conference involving Hardin, Ligon and Case. As the attorneys huddled near the bench, Ligon asked Case to apologize for recently referring to Ligon and Hardin as "whores" or "media whores."

The judge smiled and said the remark was "meant as a humorous joke." But Ligon responded that there is "very little humor" between Case's court and the district attorney's office. Ligon also said the comment could be "biased toward us in the state of Texas."

Case apologized and said, "That's not how I feel about any of you."

In his motion to request Case's removal, Ligon cited Case's comment as well as past run-ins between his office and the judge.

Ligon's office said that a hearing on whether Case should recuse himself was tentatively set for Friday.

In the meantime, Hardin made his mission clear. He didn't seem to mind Case's comment because he says he's been called "much worse. Whether the judge is Case or somebody else, he wants an expedited trial.

"The only way to get this solved is to have a quick and speedy trial," Hardin said. "We are asking the court to give us a trial absolutely as quickly as possible."

Going to trial will take several weeks, possibly causing Peterson to miss the rest of the NFL regular season, which ends Dec. 28. Another possibility would be to reach a plea deal in the interim that could lead to a quicker return to the field, though Hardin made clear that Peterson is eager to clear his name. After a grand jury indicted Peterson last month, the Vikings announced he will stay away from all team activities until the legal proceedings are resolved.

Hardin said Peterson is eager to give his side of the case but is waiting to do so in court.

"Look, this is a really good man that I am incredibly proud to represent," Hardin said. "This is a case about parenting decisions and (whether) something unfortunate happened when a parenting decision was made by a man who believes strongly and loves his children very much."

The felony child injury charge stems from when Peterson disciplined his 4-year-old son in May with a tree branch or "switch," resulting in injury.

Peterson, 29, said the injuries his son suffered were unintentional and that he was using the same disciplinary methods that his father used on him when Peterson was growing up.

But a grand jury concluded Peterson "recklessly or by criminal negligence" caused injuries, breaking the law and exceeding community standards for corporal punishment. He faces up to two years in state jail and a fine if convicted, but also could get probation and/or agree to undergo counseling on child discipline.

Peterson appeared in court with his wife, parents, agent and attorneys. He did not give a statement afterward.

"Please be tolerant of the fact that Adrian is chomping at the bit to talk, and to publicly defend himself, and the only reason he hasn't is us..." Hardin said.

"This man loves his children dearly. Don't rush to judgment."

Peterson's presence attracted a crush of television cameras, reporters and onlookers, who tracked his arrival and departure from the red brick courthouse here in the county seat. As he arrived in a black Cadillac Escalade, a person wearing a wildcat costume stood nearby, holding a sign that said "Free AP."

Despite Peterson's absence from football, Peterson still will get paid his $11.75 million salary this year. He also will be required to stay away from the son he injured until the case is resolved, Hardin said.