NFL monitoring Dalvin Cook on assault allegation, but Vikings RB still set to continue playing
The NFL is monitoring Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook, who faces assault allegations in a civil lawsuit filed Tuesday in Dakota County (Minn.) District Court by his former girlfriend. However, Cook isn’t subject to any discipline from the league or removal from action at this time.
"The NFL is reviewing the matter under the personal conduct policy, and there is no change to his status," NFL vice president of communications Brian McCarthy told USA TODAY Sports.
Gracelyn Trimble has accused Cook of assault, battery and false imprisonment after she traveled to Minnesota last November to break up with Cook and retrieve her belongings, she claimed in a lawsuit. However, Cook's attorney, David Valentini, alleged that Trimble broke into Cook's home, assaulted his client and has tried to extort the running back.
Police were not called to Cook's house, and no police report was ever filed by either party, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported.
"I just want everybody to know I'm the victim in this situation, and the truth and the details about the situation will come out at a further time," Cook said Wednesday during his media availability.
Said Vikings coach Mike Zimmer on Wednesday: "Honestly I don’t know that much about the situation. What I was told is that the NFL said this is a civil matter. It is what it is. I don’t know that much about it honestly."
MORE: Attorney rips ESPN's initial coverage of Dalvin Cook allegations as 'journalistic malpractice'
The NFL's personal conduct policy allows Commissioner Roger Goodell to place players on the exempt list – prohibiting them from playing or practicing while on paid leave – in the event that a player is formally charged with a felony offense, a crime of violence, sexual assault or having engaged in other conduct that poses danger to others. As stated in the policy, “The formal charges may be in the form of an indictment by a grand jury, the filing of charges by a prosecutor, or an arraignment in a criminal court."
The exempt list can also be applied "on a limited and temporary basis," however, "in cases in which a violation relating to a crime of violence is alleged but further investigation is required," the policy states.
The Minnesota Vikings play at the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.
Follow USA TODAY Sports' Mike Jones on Twitter @ByMikeJones.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dalvin Cook: NFL monitoring Vikings star, but RB still set to play
