Patriots’ Jabrill Peppers removed from NFL commissioner’s exempt list

On November 26, 2024By Pranco

Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers has been removed from the NFL commissioner’s exempt list, the league announced Monday.

Peppers was placed on the list on October 9, four days after he was arrested and pleaded not guilty to assault, strangulation and drug abuse charges. Peppers, yes scheduled to appear in court on January 22.

Peppers missed seven games on the commissioner’s exempt list. He also missed a game the night after he was arrested before being placed on the exempt list. Now that he has been removed, he is once again eligible to “participate in all team activities, including playing games,” according to the league.

“In accordance with the Personal Conduct Policy, the league initiated a preliminary investigation into an incident in early October,” the NFL said in a statement released Monday. “That review will remain ongoing and will not be affected by this change in Peppers’ roster status.”

The Patriots did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether Peppers will be allowed to return to the team.

Peppers posted a photo to Instagram on Monday afternoon with the caption: “Smile through it, you’ll be fine!”

Peppers is charged with assault and battery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, strangulation and possession of a class “B” drug.

Braintree police arrived at a residential address around 4:15 a.m. on October 5 after receiving a disturbance call describing an altercation between two people. Following an investigation, Peppers was arrested and police say “the victim was treated at the scene by paramedics.” The substance in question was discovered in Peppers’ wallet and is believed to be cocaine, according to authorities.

Peppers’ attorney, Marc Brofsky, made the claim during a court filing on Friday that video evidence Evidence from the night of the incident shows that the accuser had no facial injuries and that the crimes Peppers is accused of “did not occur,” according to MassLive.

“You have made a very compelling case, but I am sure there is another side,” Judge Mark Coven said on Friday. “That’s why we have trials, and then we let jurors decide whether the Commonwealth has proven this case beyond a reasonable doubt or not.”

Brofsky said in court Friday that the woman who accused Peppers of assault demanded $10.5 million from Patriots safety.

“It may not technically be extortion, but it is very probative and tells you what this case is about,” attorney Marc Brofsky said. via ESPN.

The plaintiff’s attorneys, Douglas H. Wigdor and David E. Gottlieb, issued a statement Friday denying that they had asked for that amount.

“We can confirm that Mr. Peppers’ attorney has asked us to meet to discuss a potential settlement and has asked us to submit a settlement offer,” Wigdor and Gottlieb said in a statement. “We presented a proposal that included an apology from Mr. Peppers, a financial contribution to a domestic violence support organization, a commitment from Mr. Peppers to undergo intensive counseling and a monetary payment for our client’s pain and suffering . We did not submit a $10.5 million proposal to avoid a civil lawsuit and the civil lawsuit does not seek any specific amount other than what a jury decides to award.”

Patriots safeties Jaylinn Hawkins, Marte Mapu and Dell Pettus have taken on bigger roles with Peppers out. The 3-9 Patriots have gone 2-6 without Peppers on their defense.

Originally published: November 25, 2024 at 4:23 PM EST