Third-year Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Ra’Shede Hageman was inactive for the team’s season-opening loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
It was a surprising move for head coach Dan Quinn and Co. considering Hageman started 11 games last season and sits atop the depth chart at his position.
Atlanta had initially indicated that Hageman not suiting up had to do with the team’s defensive scheme against Tampa Bay. One day after the team lost its season opener, that now doesn’t seem to be the case.
According to D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the young defensive lineman was charged with three misdemeanors in relation to a domestic violence situation from back in March.
Per the report, the former Minnesota standout faces charges of interference with a call for emergency help, cruelty to children in the third degree and battery family violence.
Domestic violence situations are serious matters. When they allegedly involve children, that’s taken to a whole new level. This most definitely isn’t a good look for the Falcons and their young defender.
We’ll update the story as more information comes out.