The NFL is looking into allegations of domestic violence against Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill, a league spokesman told The Miami Herald on Wednesday.
In a recent filing in their divorce proceedings, Keeta Vaccaro accused Hill of domestic violence on several occasions during their 17-month-long marriage.
“It’s standard policy for the league to review a matter such as this,” the NFL spokesman said.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said: “We’ve been in communication with the NFL and will let the process play out.”
Hill, who is typically speaking with reporters on Fridays this season, practiced fully on Wednesday.
Hill’s lawyer, Julius Collins, said Vaccaro’s allegations are untrue and an attempt by Vaccaro to “extort a large settlement offer from Mr. Hill, of which we believe Ms. Vaccaro is not entitled in this 17-month marriage.”
Vaccaro’s attorney, Evan R. Marks, told the Miami Herald in a Tuesday email that the statement about the allegations his client gave in an amended divorce petition “is Verified — meaning that she has sworn that the allegations contained therein are true and correct.”
Even if there is no criminal investigation, the NFL has the authority — in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement — to independently investigate allegations in a civil matter and discipline Hill under the league’s personal conduct policy.
Any NFL investigation likely would need Vaccaro’s cooperation.
If the league decides to punish Hill, there would be a hearing before Sue L. Robinson, a retired Delaware judge who previously was appointed as the league’s disciplinary officer by the NFL and the players’ union. Hill would have the ability to appeal.
Because the threat of discipline exists, that could impact the trade market for Hill.
The Dolphins have told teams that they are not looking to trade Hill, as ESPN reported.
Around the locker room
▪ Six players on the 53-man roster sat out practice because of injuries: right tackle Austin Jackson (toe), cornerbacks Storm Duck (ankle) and Ethan Bonner (hamstring), running back Jaylen Wright (knee), tight end Darren Waller (hip) and defensive tackle Benito Jones (oblique).
Receiver Jaylen Waddle (shoulder) and safety Ashtyn Davis (knee) were limited participants.
▪ Linebacker Willie Gay Jr., who was a standout throughout training camp and preseason, was a good sport about not getting a single defensive snap during Sunday’s 33-8 loss at Indianapolis. The Colts became the first team since 1978 to score on every possession.
Gay is Jordyn Brooks’ backup, and Brooks played every snap.
“I’m ready when they call my number,” Gay said at his locker on Wednesday. “I’m JB’s backup. If I’m used any other way, I’ll be ready. I’m on deck. I’m a competitor. We all are. I’d be lying if I told you I don’t care [about not playing].
“Yes, I want to play. But at the end of the day, I’m just waiting on my number to be called. I just want to help any way I can and I want to win, whether that comes with me playing or not.”
Gay played 277 defensive snaps for New Orleans last season after logging 608 and 624 the previous two seasons in Kansas City.
Inside linebackers coach Joe Barry was asked last week if Gay had done enough that the team wants to create a regular package of snaps for him?
“Hell yeah,” Barry said. “Willie specifically is an elite backup… thank God we have him as a backup. He’s a chess piece for us that we are going to be able to use all over the place.”
▪ Defensive lineman Kenneth Grant described his performance in his first regular season game as “all right.”
The rookie played 44 of 73 defensive snaps and had four tackles.
“All around I wanted to do better in everything, run game, pass game,” he said. “A lot I can work on.”
He blamed himself for not always “not doing the correct technique.”
Pro Football Focus ranks Grant 102nd among 110 interior defenders after Week 1.
▪ With Duck sidelined (he was wearing a walking boot on his ankle), Rasul Douglas likely will be the starting cornerback opposite Jack Jones, with Jason Marshall Jr. in the nickel.
“Me and Rasul want to create turnovers,” Jones said. “We are get-the-ball guys.”
Jones has seven interceptions in 43 NFL games, including four returned for touchdowns.
Douglas has 19 interceptions in 121 games, including three returned for touchdowns.
▪ Achane took responsibility for Tua Tagovailoa’s lost fumble on Sunday, which happened after Achane did not pick up Colts cornerback Kenny Moore on a blitz.
Asked what he thinks about Dolphins fans who can’t believe the season started this poorly, Achane said: “We can’t believe it.”
▪ After such a lopsided loss, linebacker Jaelan Phillips said, “We can’t lose trust in ourselves. We can’t lose confidence.”
▪ Larry Borom, who is expected to start at right tackle against New England on Sunday (1 p.m., CBS-4) in the absence of Jackson, said he’s better equipped for success in this system than Chicago’s (where he allowed seven sacks last season) because the Dolphins’ scheme “allows me to be more aggressive and attack things. It suits me better.”
Here’s my Wednesday piece with news from Mike McDaniel’s news conference.