Bears DL Ray McDonald Arrested For Domestic Violence

Update:

Santa Clara Lt. Kurt Clarke said in a news release Monday that Bears DL Ray McDonald was arrested after officers said he “physically assaulted the victim while she was holding a baby,” via NBC Bay Area.

McDonald is facing misdemeanor domestic violence and child endangerment charges.

According to the release, police were called to a disturbance at 3:48 a.m. at an apartment in Santa Clara. Upon arriving to the scene, police found out McDonald had left to go to a friend’s home in San Jose.

McDonald was later arrested at former 49ers DL Justin Smith‘s home in the Silver Creek neighborhood of San Jose.

Sources tell NBC Bay Area that McDonald went out with friends Sunday night, but wanted to return to the apartment he rents to his ex-fiancee and baby. After the incident occurred, McDonald decided to leave and give her some space, but police were called when he returned.

———-

Ed Werder of ESPN points out that Bears GM Ryan Pace was initially prevented from pursuing DL Ray McDonald in free agency by team president George McCaskey.

However, McCaskey later relented after meeting with McDonald to discuss his situation.

Jay Glazer of FOX Sports mentions that Chicago went into this situation with “very strict limits” and “no gray area” in regards to McDonald’s off-the-field behavior. With this in mind, Glazer thinks the Bears will act swiftly upon returning from the holiday weekend.

For what it’s worth, releasing McDonald would free up $1,037,500 in available cap space while creating no dead money, according to OverTheCap.com.

———-

According to Damian Trujillo of NBC Bay Area, Bears DL Ray McDonald has been arrested for a domestic violence incident.

• Trujillo mentions that McDonald’s arrest involves possible child endangerment.

McDonald was released by the 49ers back in December of lat year after rape allegations against him surfaced. No charges were ever filed in that case and McDonald was later cleared in the matter.

However, this isn’t the type of thing that will help him make the 53-man roster, especially when you consider that this is his third off-the-field incident in the past year.

McDonald, 30, signed a one-year, $1.05 million contract with the Bears that included $450,000 available through incentives.

Chicago is a good landing spot for him given that they brought in his former defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.

In 2014, McDonald appeared in 14 games and recorded 39 tackles, three sacks, and a forced fumble for the 49ers. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the N0. 12 defensive end in a 3-4 defense out of 47 qualifying players.