NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Less than two weeks before the Titans report to training camp and seventy-one days after Rashad Weaver accepted his summons for a misdemeanor simple assault charge, the NFL said “the matter remains under review.”
Pool photo, George Walker, The Tennessean
The charge stems from an April 18 incident outside the Foxtail bar in Pittsburgh during which the alleged victim, Demetria Navjelis, said Weaver “grabbed her by the throat and pushed her to the ground, where she ultimately hit her head.”
The Titans view it as a legal matter and are waiting on the process to play out. The league does not always rely on the legal process and its conclusions in order to reach its verdicts and dole out its discipline, though it seems more likely with a first-time offense and a misdemeanor charge.
The NFL investigates all such events, and Weaver is subject to discipline under the league’s personal conduct policy.
Weaver was a fourth-round pick out of Pitt. He is in line for an important role as the team’s third pass rusher, a position where the Titans lack quality options to supplement Bud Dupree and Harold Landry.
Rashad Weaver at #Titans’ rookie camp. pic.twitter.com/UGG8EjJhYa
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) May 15, 2021
Weaver is scheduled for an Oct. 5 preliminary hearing at 12:30 ET. That’s a Tuesday, typically the players’ day off and it’s between the Titans Week Four game at the Jets and Week Five at the Jaguars. We don't know if he will need to be present.
Weaver’s attorney, Dennis M. Blackwell, did not return a phone message.
He issued this statement on May 3.
Statement from the attorney for #Titans fourth-round draft pick Rashad Weaver, who denies allegations he assaulted a woman last month. pic.twitter.com/WGDAJgdMoW
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 3, 2021
It’s unclear if Navjelis has retained a lawyer.
Officials at the public defender’s office said one of four prosecutors will be assigned to the case the morning of the hearing.
That seems to suggest if there is a settlement before the hearing it would come the same day.
Weaver was part of the Titans’ rookie minicamp, OTAs and mandatory minicamp.
He agreed to terms on his rookie contract on June 10 and not too long after humorously lamented on Twitter about his mom making him takeover payment of his own phone bill.
My mom decided today, on her birthday she wanted to break 23 years of trust and bond we had built…. By telling me I’m in the NFL and I need to pay for my own phone bill. I feel betrayed.
— Rashad Weaver (@RashadWeaver) July 1, 2021
Here are previous stories about the Titans' selection of Weaver and subsequent news of the case.
Rashad Weaver could make Titans three-deep at edge
How the Titans should have scouted Rashad Weaver; more details about alleged incident
Titans expecting Rashad Weaver for rookie minicamp this weekend
@RashadWeaver was one of the #Titans rookies that went to the Nashville Public Library in Bordeaux to read to the kids. @GovEarlyLiteracyTN pic.twitter.com/j2gAJ17CjG
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) June 21, 2021