National Football League

Cardinals linebacker arrested, accused of assault

Published May. 3, 2013 11:15 p.m. ET

foxsports

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Daryl Washington was arrested Friday after being accused of assaulting his ex-girlfriend, who authorities said is the mother of his baby daughter.

Maricopa County prosecutors said Washington posted $4,200 bond and was released following his initial court appearance after he had been booked into jail on suspicion of two counts of aggravated assault.

A probable cause statement released by Phoenix police said Washington's ex-girlfriend claimed he grabbed her by the throat and shoved her to the ground following an argument at her apartment Wednesday.

The woman told police that Washington also pushed her with two hands, causing her to fall and break her right collarbone, according to court documents.

Sgt. Steve Martos, a Phoenix police spokesman, said officers later interviewed the woman and their report noted her clavicle injury along with ''road-rash type of scrapes, bruising and cuts to her right arm, right hip and right leg.''

The alleged assaults occurred inside the woman's apartment and in a parking lot after Washington and his ex-girlfriend argued during his visitation with the 5-month-old child, Martos said.

Washington, 26, is expected back in court May 9 for a status conference with a preliminary hearing set for May 13.

A call to Washington's Dallas-based agent, Jordan Woy, wasn't immediately returned Friday afternoon.

Washington said in a statement that ''this is a legal matter and I am limited in what I can say other than that my lawyer and I will continue to cooperate with investigators and welcome the opportunity for all the facts to be presented.

''I regret that the situation has brought this kind of attention to my family and my team. I look forward to resolving it as soon as possible,'' added Washington, a former second-round draft pick who was a Pro Bowl alternate last season.

The Cardinals said in a statement before Washington was arrested that ''these are serious accusations that we are closely monitoring. Until all the facts are determined and out of respect to the process, we will decline any further comment at this point.''

Washington led the Cardinals with 134 tackles - 108 of them solo - and nine sacks last season and signed a six-year contract extension in September.

He was suspended for the first four games of the 2013 season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.