The Patriots no longer have to worry about making a decision on Jabrill Peppers.
The NFL did it for them.
Peppers was placed on the Commissioner Exempt List on Wednesday, the league announced, meaning he may not practice or attend games until he is removed. New England will not have to remove him from the active roster, as a spot will open up while he remains on the list.
Peppers was arrested Saturday morning following an altercation between him and his girlfriend, according to court files. The 29-year-old faces charges including assault and battery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, strangulation and possession of cocaine, and he pleaded not guilty when he appeared in Quincy District Court on Monday.
The Patriots named Peppers a captain before the season started.
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New England head coach Jerod Mayo told reporters Peppers called him to tell him about the incident Saturday morning. The Patriots released a statement regarding the allegations and ruled the veteran safety out with a shoulder injury prior to Sunday’s loss to the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium.
Peppers isn’t due in court again until Nov. 22, so it can be expected he remains on the list until then. The NFL often doesn’t issue punishment or remove players from the list until the legal process is complete, which could take months.
