The NFL lifted New England Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers from the commissioner’s exempt list on Monday, allowing him to practice and play in games again.
Peppers had missed seven games after being placed on the list on October 9. This followed his arrest and charges for allegedly shoving his girlfriend’s head into a wall and choking her. The NFL stated that its review of the case is still ongoing, and this change in Peppers’ status does not affect that process.
According to Braintree police, they were called to a home on October 7 for a dispute. A woman claimed that Peppers had choked her. Police reported finding a clear plastic bag with a white powder, which later tested positive for cocaine.
Peppers, 29, pleaded not guilty to charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and possession of a Class “B” substance, which is believed to be cocaine. His trial is scheduled for January 22.
“Any act of domestic violence is unacceptable for us,” said Patriots coach Jerod Mayo after the arrest. “With that being said, I do think that Jabrill has to go through the system, has to continue to go through due process. We’ll see how that works out.”
Peppers was drafted by Cleveland in 2017 and played for the Browns for two seasons. He then spent three years with the New York Giants before joining the Patriots in 2022, where he signed an extension this summer.
He played in the first four games of this season but missed one due to a shoulder injury before being placed on the exempt list, which allows NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to put a player on paid leave while reviewing his case.
