Jabrill Peppers and Mayo discussed Peppers’ reinstatement following his arrest

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“As long as he does the right thing from our perspective, within these four walls, I expect him to be able to play when he’s ready.”

A day after the NFL removed Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers From the commissioner’s exemption list The veteran defender returned to Gillette Stadium on Monday and took part in the team’s practice on Tuesday afternoon.

Peppers “I am extremely grateful.” He said he would return to the team. “This is Thanksgiving. There is so much to be thankful for right now. I’m just happy to be around men. I’m happy to be back in the building. “I’m happy to get back to doing what I love to do.”

Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo told reporters Tuesday that Peppers is on the 53-man active roster, but it is not yet clear whether he will be allowed to play in Sunday’s Week 13 game against the Colts.

Peppers, who last played in New England’s Week 5 game against the 49ers, was placed on the commission’s exempt list on Oct. 9 – just four days. after being arrested and is charged with domestic assault and battery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, strangulation and possession of a Class B substance.

Peppers has denied all charges and his jury trial was scheduled to begin last week on Jan. 22.

“In my opinion, I think we should allow these types of events to play out out of respect for due process,” Mayo said. “As long as he does the right thing from our perspective, within these four walls, I expect him to be able to play when he’s ready. … The process will take time.

“We think about the legal process outside the building and what happens inside the building. But at the same time, the NFL removed him from the Commissioner’s Exempt List and that’s what we need to do.

While Peppers’ trial is months away from starting, his removal from the exempt list may reportedly have more to do with the length of suspension Peppers has already received; The league is now leaving this matter up to the Patriots to take further disciplinary action. .

“According to a league source, Patriots S Jabrill Peppers was removed from the commissioner’s exempt list because his base suspension was six games for violations of the personal conduct policy related to the actions he was accused of.” the Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald Published on Monday. “He has already missed seven games. Had Peppers remained on the exempt list until his next hearing date, January 22, he would have missed a total of 12 games.

“If evidence is found to show Peppers violated the personal conduct policy, the NFL may still impose discipline at the end of the process. The NFL will seek to conclude its investigation once a disposition is made.”

Mayo declined to elaborate when asked Tuesday if the Patriots had approved Peppers’ reinstatement or if Peppers had appealed to the team.

“We I published the statement yesterday “From an organizational standpoint about how we want to let this process play itself out,” Mayo said. “Look, when (Peppers) is ready, hopefully we can get him to the game.”

Peppers confirmed that he spoke with team owner Robert Kraft about his ongoing legal situation, but did not go into details about his upcoming lawsuit, citing legal representation.

“I understand you have questions about what happened earlier in the season. On the advice of my lawyers, I am not at liberty to discuss any details,” Peppers said in a statement on Tuesday. “I look forward to doing so as part of the legal proceedings. I hope you understand and respect this.

According to police reportsPeppers is accused of strangling a woman in her home and pushing her head against a wall before forcing her out of her apartment. Police officers also found a small bag of white powder in his wallet, which Peppers allegedly admitted was cocaine before testing positive for the drug.

Speaking last month, Peppers’ lawyer, Marc Brofsky, stated that there was video evidence. “completely contradicts the alleged victim’s story.”

Peppers, who said he is taking it “day by day” when it comes to returning to NFL games, declined to discuss whether the NFL told him why he was reassigned.

“I’m not at liberty to discuss any details,” Peppers said. “I’m grateful the league allowed me to get back to doing what I love to do. I’ll let the legal process play out.”

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Conor Ryan is a staff writer at Boston.com covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots and Red Sox, a position he has held since 2023.

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