Thursday 18 September 2014 09:16, UK
Arizona Cardinals running back Jonathan Dwyer has become the latest player to be deactivated by his team due to legal issues.
The Cardinals have decided to hold Dwyer out of team activities after he was arrested following allegations of aggravated assault which relate to incidents in July.
The 25-year-old was booked in on one count of aggravated assault causing a fracture, one count of aggravated assault involving a minor, two counts of criminal damage, one count of preventing the use of a phone in an emergency and assault.
With the NFL under increasing pressure following a string of domestic violence cases involving its players, the Cardinals chose to act swiftly.
“We became aware of these allegations this afternoon (Wednesday) when notified by the Phoenix police and are cooperating fully,” the Cardinals said in a statement.
"Given the serious nature of the allegations we have taken the immediate step to deactivate Jonathan from all team activities.
"We will continue to closely monitor this as it develops and evaluate additional information as it becomes available."
Dwyer, Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy and Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson were all deactivated by their teams within the space of 24 hours due to legal issues relating to alleged violent crimes.
Those cases follow Ray Rice’s release by the Baltimore Ravens and indefinite suspension by the NFL after video emerged of him punching his wife in the lift of a casino.
