San Francisco 49ers defensive star Charles Omenihu was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence just days before his team are set to face the Philadelphia Eagles for a place in the Super Bowl.
On Monday, police were called to Omenihu’s San Jose home where he was booked with misdemeanour domestic violence at Santa Clara County jail. He was released after posting bail, according to San Jose police.
Upon arriving at his house, a woman told officers that Omenihu is her boyfriend and that he allegedly ‘pushed her to the ground during an argument’. She reportedly declined medical attention after complaining of arm pain, although ‘officers did not observe any visible physical injuries’, per a police news release.
Omenihu was still at the location when officers arrived and later gave a statement to police. Police also obtained an emergency protective order for the woman, and they served that to the 49ers star.
Police confirmed the results of the ongoing investigation will be presented to the Santa Clara County District Attorney for evaluation of possible charges on Omenihu. No additional details were released.
Omenihu has been a key piece for the vaunted 49ers defence, tallying four-and-a-half sacks for the team ahead of the NFC Championship Game on Sunday in Philadelphia. In a statement on released on Tuesday, the 49ers said: “We are aware of the matter involving Charles Omenihu and are in the process of gathering further information.”
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The 25-year-old is enjoying a career-best campaign in what his first full season in San Francisco after he arrived in the Bay Area via a trade from the Houston Texans. Omenihu has operated largely as a defensive end as well as an interior rusher on passing downs, while he tallied two sacks and a forced fumble in the 49ers’ win over the Seattle Seahawks on Wild Card weekend.
On Sunday, Omenihu suffered an oblique injury in the win over the Dallas Cowboys but returned before the contest was over. San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan suggested the issue was not serious and he was set to be listed as ‘day to day’ while expected to play the Eagles.
Omenihu was a fifth-round pick by the Texans in the 2019 NFL Draft. He is making $2.5 million this season and is slated to become a free agent in March for the first time in his career.
