NFL
Will Jabrill Peppers play for the Patriots after assault and cocaine arrest?
The eight-year defensive back was missing for New England’s weekend game against the Dolphins.
New England Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers finds himself in the middle of an entirely different type of battle, and it had nothing, as far as we know, to do with football. The defensive back was arrested on Saturday morning in Braintree, Massachusetts, following an alleged altercation at a residence.
According to police, Peppers now faces several charges, including assault and battery, assault with a dangerous weapon, strangulation, and possession of what is believed to have been cocaine.
Will Jabrill Peppers face legal consequences?
Authorities responded to a call early on October 5, where an altercation between two individuals was reported. The details of the dispute remain murky, but what’s clear is that Peppers’ legal troubles have only just begun. Emergency services treated the victim at the scene, though there’s no word yet on the extent of their injuries. Peppers is expected to be arraigned Monday at Quincy District Court, and given the seriousness of the charges, he’s likely facing significant legal scrutiny.
The Patriots, as you’d expect, are not saying too much at this point. The organization released a measured statement, acknowledging the arrest but offering no further comments.
“We are aware of an incident involving Jabrill Peppers over the weekend in which the police are currently investigating. We will have no further comment at this time.”
Meanwhile, Coach Jerod Mayo noted that the team has informed the NFL and is in the information-gathering phase – a process that might take some time, especially if more details emerge. “He called me that morning. I knew what was going on,” Mayo said.
Was the arrest related to Jabrill Peppers being sidelined?
Interestingly, as mentioned above, Peppers didn’t suit up for Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins due to a shoulder injury. He had been listed as questionable throughout the week, but was downgraded to “out” on Saturday, mere hours after his arrest. Coincidence?
Perhaps. Or maybe Peppers was preoccupied with matters far more serious than nursing a shoulder injury – like his impending court date. Whether he’ll return to the field anytime soon is in the balance, with Sunday’s game next up against the Houston Texans.