The NFL has updated the roster status of Jabrill Peppers
On Monday, the NFL reinstated New England Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers from the Commissioner Exempt List.
New England Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers has been on the NFL’s Commissioner Exempt List since being arrested on assault and drug charges in early October. On Monday the league announced Peppers has been removed from the list, returning him to the Patriots’ active roster and allowing him to return to participating in all team activities including playing in games.
“The National Football League today removed Jabrill Peppers of the New England Patriots from the Commissioner Exempt List. Peppers has missed seven games since being placed on the list on October 9,” the league said in their official memo. “In accordance with the Personal Conduct Policy, the league initiated a preliminary investigation into an incident from early October. That review will remain ongoing and is not affected by this change in Peppers’ roster status.”
Peppers’ most recent court date was last Friday, Nov. 22. Peppers pleaded not guilty and had a jury trial set for Jan. 22 – after the end of the NFL regular season.
According to reporting by Doug Kyed of The Boston Herald, “The reason Jabrill Peppers was removed from the commissioner’s exempt list was because the baseline suspension for a violation of the personal conduct policy involving the actions for which he’s accused is six games. He’s already missed seven games. If Peppers had remained on the exempt list through his next court date, Jan. 22, he would have missed a total of 12 games.”
“The NFL may still impose discipline at the end of the process if evidence is found that demonstrates Peppers violated the personal conduct policy,” Kyed added. “The NFL will look to conclude its investigation once there has been a disposition.”
Following the news, the Patriots released their own statement. “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 did have an open roster spot heading into Monday, so no corresponding move is needed to make room for Peppers on the active roster.
Peppers himself posted on Instagram Monday evening, saying “Smile through it all, it’s gon be alright!”
Prior to his arrest Peppers, 29, played in four games for the Patriots this year after signing a three-year, $30 million contract extension in late July. The Patriots originally signed him as a free agent prior to the 2022 season.
