Adrian Peterson Pleads Not Guilty to Child Abuse Charges

As expected, Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson pleaded not guilty Tuesday to the charges of child abuse being brought against him.

Albert Breer of NFL.com reported the news:

Rochelle Olson of the Minneapolis Star Tribune followed with a synopsis of Peterson's lawyer Rusty Hardin discussing his client's hearing:

Peterson's case is currently entangled in a dispute between Montgomery County District Attorney Brett Ligon and Judge Kelly Case, as the former is attempting to have the latter removed from the case for bias, per Olson. Case has refused to recuse himself. That case will be heard Wednesday.

Peterson has been accused of striking his four-year-old son with a switch and has been barred from any NFL activities until his court case is resolved, though he is currently receiving his paycheck from the Vikings after being placed on the league's exempt/commissioner's permission list.

However, according to a recent report from Chris Mortensen of ESPN, Peterson could still face discipline from the league even if he is found innocent in this case.