Only three days ago, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell released new rules on domestic violence issues in response to the backlash they received after suspending Ravens RB Ray Rice only two games following his dispute. It didn’t take long for someone to come across those rules.
According to NBC Bay Area’s Damian Trujillo, San Francisco 49ers DE Ray McDonald was arrested last night on a domestic violence charge:
BREAKING: Sources: #49ers DL Ray McDonald popped for domestic violence. Confirming with Niners. @MaioccoCSN
— Damian Trujillo (@newsdamian) August 31, 2014
This is another blow to a 49ers defense that can ill afford to lose another starter. Facts of the case have yet to come out, but the alleged victim was pregnant, which could allow the NFL to impose an even harsher punishment than the six games outlined for first offenses.
McDonald may also be facing some serious reprimanding from the 49ers and head coach Jim Harbaugh who has zero tolerance when it comes to violence against women, as former 49er Donte Whitner explained to the Sacramento Bee last year:
He said that we can do anything in the world and we can come and talk to him and he’ll forgive us except put our hands on women. If you put your hand on a woman, then you’re done in his book.
With this coming mere days after the new rules were outlined, Commissioner Goodell may look to make an example out of McDonald. But with details of the incident still coming out, it is unknown when discipline could come down.
The 49ers are already without a lineman in Glenn Dorsey, who tore his bicep in training camp. With Navorro Bowman out for the first six weeks, and Aldon Smith suspended for the first nine games of the season, the vaunted Niners defense may have some holes on that end.
