San Francisco 49ers defensive end Ray McDonald will play in the season opener against the Dallas Cowboys despite getting arrested for domestic violence.
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San Francisco 49ers defensive end Ray McDonald was arrested Sunday for domestic violence, which allegedly involved him assaulting a pregnant woman.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh stated that the team has a zero-tolerance policy on domestic violence, and the league has changed its rules to suspend first-time offenders for six games and ban players for life if they do it again.
Despite these rules that seemingly stacked the odds against the defensive end, the 49ers confirmed he will play in their Week 1 game against the Dallas Cowboys.
This is likely because no charges have been filed against McDonald, and he has practiced all week for the 49ers. However, commissioner Roger Goodell plans to take action if the time calls for it. “I think the first thing you have to do is let the process play out, get the facts and make sure you understand all the circumstances,” the commissioner told ESPN.
The 49ers are expected to handle discipling McDonald if necessary though.
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