Jaguars' Dan Skuta recently arrested for battery on woman (Updated)

Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Dan Skuta was recently arrested in Orlando, charged with battery after he allegedly got violent with a woman who rebuffed his advances.

First reported by Jacksonville TV station CBS 47, Skuta was arrested in the early-morning hours of June 19 on misdemeanor battery charges.

According to the police report, a friend of the victim approached an officer and said her friend had been hit by a man, and identified the “tall male subject.” The officer detained the man, identified as Skuta.

The victim alleges that she and her friend were on the sidewalk when approached by Skuta, and Skuta began chatting and flirting with the victim. When Skuta asked for her phone number, she said no, and, the police report says, a verbal altercation ensued.

Skuta then allegedly pushed the woman in the face with an open hand, causing her to hit the back of her head on a glass window. The woman told the officer she did not give Skuta permission to touch her and wanted to press charges. She refused medical attention.

The police officer said he observed Skuta’s eyes to be “blood shot/glassy” and smelled alcohol on his breath. Skuta was arrested and posted $500 bond.

The Jaguars released a statement on Monday on the situation:

“The Jaguars are aware of the situation involving linebacker Dan Skuta and are currently gathering more information. The team has been in constant communication with Dan through this process in its entirety. No further comment can be made at this time.”

Listed at 6-foot-2, 251 pounds, the 30-year old Skuta joined the Jaguars last year, signing a five-year, $20.5 million contract after two seasons with the 49ers. Skuta entered the NFL in 2009 with the Cincinnati Bengals and spent his first four seasons with that club.

Update: The lawyer for Skuta, Mark NeJame, told the Florida Times-Union on Monday night that his client is innocent.

“It simply didn’t happen,” NeJame told the Times-Union. “We have witnesses as well as significant questions about the credibility of the people that made the complaint.”

In a statement released by NeJame, he added: “Dan never placed his hands on anyone.”