National Football League

Source: Cowboys believe Spillman innocent of sex charge

Published Oct. 2, 2014 2:05 p.m. ET

foxsports

IRVING, Texas -- C.J. Spillman's position with the Dallas Cowboys is unchanged despite his connection with a sexual assault investigation, a source tells FOX Sports Southwest, in part because the team's exploration of the issue reveals no wrongdoing.

"I think you have to be careful with just accusations and allegations in this situation," Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said Thursday. "When someone is officially charged or arrested for something, that's when it becomes a different situation in our minds. For now, he's a member of our football team and will take part in everything we do to this point."

Spillman practiced on Thursday just as he participated in Dallas' win at St. Louis on Sept. 20 and in team activities at a hotel in Grapevine, Texas leading up to the game.

Grapevine police have confirmed that Spillman is being investigated and the NFL has announced it is "looking into the matter'' and has contacted the accuser's attorney, Gloria Allred, offering cooperation there.

Spillman, who joined the Cowboys on Aug. 31 after being released by the 49ers, is a special-teams standout who is expected to play this week when 3-1 Dallas hosts 3-1 Houston. While the NFL has been under fire for incidents involving behavioral and legal issues, Garrett said "due process'' is in play here.

"I think that's the definition of 'due process,'" Garrett said. "There has to be a charge or an arrest made, and then due process begins. We're certainly not at that point in this situation."