Jabrill Peppers is back at Gillette Stadium after the NFL on Monday removed the New England Patriots safety from the Commissioner Exempt List.
Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo told reporters at Gillette Stadium on Tuesday he anticipates Peppers will practice with the team but isn’t sure if he will play against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 13. Peppers is on New England’s 53-man roster.
Peppers was placed on the Commissioner Exempt List on Oct. 9, two days after he was charged with assault and battery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, strangulation and possession of cocaine at Quincy District Court. Peppers’ attorney Marc Brofsky has said Peppers’ legal team has video evidence contradicting the alleged victim’s story.
Peppers’ trial date is set for Jan. 22. The Patriots, however, are not holding off until the legal process concludes.
“To me, I think just out of respect for the legal process to let that stuff play out,” Mayo told reporters, per a team-provided video. “For us inside these four walls, as long as he’s doing the right thing, I expect him to be able to play when he’s ready to go.”
Mayo added: “The process is going to take time. The legal process outside the building and what we think happened inside the building. But at the same time, the NFL has taken him off that Commissioner Exempt List and that’s what we have to roll with.”
Mayo deflected when asked if Patriots ownership signed off on Peppers’ return, as it’s now the organization’s call. Mayo did say he was grateful ownership allowed him and Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf to make such decisions.
“We put the statement out yesterday from an organizational standpoint of how we want to let this process work itself out,” Mayo said. “Look, when (Peppers) is ready to go, hopefully we can get him to the game.”
Mayo declined to say whether Peppers addressed the team or if he would retain his captaincy.
Mayo referenced the statement the Patriots released: “The league has removed Jabrill Peppers from the commissioner’s exempt list. After missing the past seven games, he will now return to the active roster. We understand that the league’s investigation into the matter will continue, as will the legal process. We will await the outcome of both before making any further comment.”
The Patriots host the Colts at Gillette Stadium on Sunday.
