The Pittsburgh Steelers have told OLB Anthony Chickillo to stay home instead of attending today’s practice, according to Burt Lauten via the PPG’s Gerry Dulac.
Here is Lauten’s statement on the decision, per ESPN’s Brooke Pryor.
“He has been instructed to not be in the building today as we continue to gather more information and work with the NFL Office.”
Chickillo was arrested over the weekend on multiple charges, including simple assault, for an incident involving him and his long-time girlfriend. Local Pittsburgh station WPXI offered new details last night, an argument that began at a casino in Nemacolin that carried over back at their hotel room.
From WPXI:
“Chickillo told police the argument became physical, resulting in his girlfriend hitting him in the head with her fist and him pushing her to the ground.
Chickillo’s girlfriend agreed that the argument started at the casino and continued to the hotel room, according to the police report. She told police Chickillo grabbed her by her biceps and forced her against a wall and door of the hotel room, causing injuries. It was then that she said she punched Chickillo in the head, and that Chickillo threw her to the ground and damaged her cellphone.”
He has a hearing set for October 30th.
His future with the team remains unclear though it seems more likely than not he will sit out this Monday’s game against the Miami Dolphins. Playing just 44 defensive snaps this season, he has 0.5 sack, recorded in last week’s win over Los Angeles. Ola Adeniyi would be the team’s #3 linebacker if Chickillo isn’t with the team against Miami.
UPDATE (12:16 PM): The NFL has weighed in for the first time, saying they will “look into” the incident.
