The NFL issued a statement on Wednesday after police arrested San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Charles Omenihu on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic violence.
The league said there is no change to Omenihu’s status as he and the 49ers prepare for the NFC Championship Game. Nick Wagoner, ESPN’s Niners reporter, quoted the statement from the league Wednesday.
“The matter will be reviewed under the league’s personal conduct policy. There is no change to his status,” the league said via Wagoner.
NFL statement on #49ers DL Charles Omenihu:
"The matter will be reviewed under the league’s personal conduct policy. There is no change to his status."
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) January 25, 2023
San Francisco won’t make any changes either, in case you were wondering. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan addressed the media on Wednesday. Shanahan said Omenihu will stay with the team while the legal process played out.
Wagoner tweeted, “49ers DL Charles Omenihu will stay with team and be available (so long as he’s healthy) as the legal process plays out, according to coach Kyle Shanahan.”
#49ers DL Charles Omenihu will stay with team and be available (so long as he's healthy) as the legal process plays out, according to coach Kyle Shanahan.
NFL said no change to his status.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) January 25, 2023
Police arrested Omenihu on Monday afternoon at his home. His girlfriend accused him of pushing her to the ground during an argument. Police arrived and the woman complained of arm pain according to the San Jose Mercury News. She declined medical attention at the scene and police did not observe any visible injury.
It’s not the greatest look for the team to willfully carry a player aboard while he’s going through the legal process after a domestic violence charge. But the 49ers will proceed on anyway, as will the NFL, until perhaps another update in the case.
If you or someone you know is the victim of domestic violence, help is always available 24 hours a day. Please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233