Charles Omenihu (Photo courtesy of Kansas City Chiefs)
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) – Chiefs defensive end Charles Omenihu was suspended Friday for the first six games of the regular season for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy following an alleged domestic violence incident in January.
Omenihu was playing for the 49ers when police were called to his San Jose home for a report of domestic violence, according to the San Jose Police Department. A woman who said she was Omenihu’s girlfriend told officers at the time that he had “pushed her to the ground during an argument,” though there were no visible injuries and she declined medical treatment.
The 49ers allowed Omenihu to continue playing, and he had two sacks and a forced fumble in their three playoff games.
Omenihu, who has missed the past two days of training camp with a calf issue, has participated in the entire offseason program with the Chiefs, who signed him to a two-year deal to replace departed pass rushers Frank Clark and Carlos Dunlap.
The 25-year-old Omenihu remains eligible to participate in camp and he can play in the Chiefs’ three preseason games. But he will miss regular-season games against Detroit, Jacksonville, Chicago, the Jets, Minnesota and Denver. He is eligible to return to the Kansas City practice facility on Oct. 13 and play Week 7 against the Chargers.
The Chiefs declined to comment beyond the NFL’s release announcing Omenihu’s suspension.
The punishment was somewhat expected by the Chiefs, given that Willie Gay Jr. was suspended four games last season for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. The suspension handed down to the linebacker came after his misdemeanor charge of criminal damage to property of less than $1,000, which was resolved through a diversion program.
Nevertheless, the Chiefs are in a pass-rushing predicament should defensive tackle Chris Jones continue his holdout.
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