Jabrill Peppers Added To NFL Exempt List Following Assault Charges

BRAINTREE, MA — Jabrill Peppers pleaded not guilty during a court appearance earlier this week to charges stemming from a reported altercation with his girlfriend in Braintree.

As for his status with the Patriots, head coach Jerod Mayo confirmed that the NFL has placed him on the Commissioner Exempt List, meaning he won't be allowed to practice with the team of play in games.

Peppers, who is charged with assault and battery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, possession of a substance believed to be cocaine and strangulation, was in court on Monday for the charges.

New details emerged from both sides of the situation during the court appearance.

• Related: Patriots Safety Jabrill Peppers Faces Charges In Braintree

Peppers' girlfriend told police, according to a report, that he hit and choked her on multiple occasions and also pushed her down a set of stairs.

That same report said Peppers told police that the argument started after Peppers' girlfriend attempted to engage him in sex without a condom. She became angry when he refused.

Peppers also denied any physical altercation, and said the woman fell down the stairs after he asked her to leave.

A police report said the woman was treated on the scene for head and neck injuries.

An attorney for Peppers said they have "evidence that completely contradicts the victim's story."

Mayo initially said Peppers would be allowed in the team's facility as they gather more information about the situation, but that changed with his status on the exempt list today.

The team issued a statement confirming they were aware of the investigation, but didn't comment further from an official team perspective outside of Mayo's comments.

On a day when the New England Patriots were likely to address a quarterback change, Head Coach Jerod Mayo spent the first moments of his press conference discussing Peppers.

"I just want to be clear that really any act of domestic violence is unacceptable for us. As a team, no matter if you're a player, staff member, we're wholeheartedly against any act of domestic violence," Mayo said.

"I do think that Jabrill has to go through the system," Mayo added. "We'll see how that works out."