There are bigger, more important off-field questions that remain unanswered about Adrian Peterson. Those will be answered in due time.

For now, we have an important piece of information in trying to unpack this important on-field question: Will Peterson ever play for the Vikings again (a question that, a month ago, seemed ludicrous)?

The key piece of information gleaned from Wednesday's court appearance is that a trial date has been set for Dec. 1. Peterson didn't enter a plea during his appearance, but it seemed evident from his attorneys that the Vikings RB maintains a not guilty stance and is eager to tell his side of the story — meaning it is likely, in our mind, that the case will go to trial.

It's still possible the trial could be pushed up to mid-November if other cases fall off the docket. That's the time frame Peterson's attorney, Rusty Hardin, pushed for.

Here, then, are the best- and worst-case scenarios for Peterson solely in terms of returning to the field:

BEST: The trial begins earlier than expected, sometime during the week of Nov. 18, and concludes within 10 days with a not guilty verdict for Peterson. That could theoretically give Peterson the chance to play the final 4 or 5 games of the season. Even if the trial is Dec. 1 and he is found not guilty, there could be 2 or 3 games left in the season by the time the case is resolved (the Vikings' final game is Dec. 28).

WORST: The trial is delayed for any reason — including the assigning of a new judge, since the prosecution has asked presiding judge Kelly W. Case to recuse himself after calling attorneys on both sides of the case "media whores." (This played out in a rather humorous part of Wednesday's proceedings, and Case apologized). Obviously if it is pushed back much more than Dec. 1, the chance of having it resolved before the season ended is slim.

Also, regardless of when it goes to trial, if Peterson is found guilty he could very well face a suspension from the NFL that wipes out the rest of his season. Even if he's found not guilty, we suppose, the NFL could take some sort of action.

If Peterson doesn't play for the Vikings this season, it would be a reasonable guess to say that given all that's happened this year, plus Peterson's age (he'll turn 30 in March), plus the way his contract is structured to limit salary cap damage if the Vikings release him in 2015, he very well might never play for Minnesota again.