The San Francisco 49ers announced Wednesday that they would not release defensive lineman Charles Omenihu following his arrest Monday on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic violence. The team intends to let the legal process play out, and in the meantime, Omenihu will remain with the team and played in this weekend’s NFC Championship game.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan made the announcement Wednesday, telling reporters that the team analyzed Omenihu’s case but did not conclude that he should be excluded from team activities.
“We feel very good letting the legal process take care of itself. And don’t feel we should kick him off our team at this time,” Shanahan said.
The San Jose Police Department released a report concerning Omenihu’s arrest, which occurred at 4:39 p.m. local time Monday. Omenihu’s girlfriend reportedly called the police department accusing him of shoving her to the floor during an argument. She did not report any visible injuries after the incident and denied medical attention to treat pain in her arm.
Omenihu posted bail soon after being booked in Santa Clara County jail and was also served a restraining order. The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office could charge Omenihu for the incident.
The NFL is also unlikely to punish Omenihu in the near future, as the league typically waits for legal proceedings to unfold before disciplining players. The defensive lineman has recorded 4.5 sacks and one forced fumble this season as a member of one the NFL’s best defenses.
Omenihu entered the league in 2019 after four seasons at the University of Texas. He was selected by the Houston Texans in the fifth round and appeared in 35 games for the team. The 49ers traded for him during the 2021 season.
