The rough week of Vikings defensive back Chris Cook has gotten a little rougher.
Released from jail on bail after being arrested for domestic assault over the weekend (which caused him to miss Sunday’s game against the Packers), Cook now faces the loss of his job. Possibly.
Until the Vikings decide what to do with Cook, the team has suspended him without pay. The team announced the decision on Tuesday night, calling the allegations against Cook “very disturbing and disappointing.”
Cook allegedly choked his girlfriend after learning she had talked to an ex-boyfriend. Cook has proclaimed his innocence on Twitter.
Under the CBA, player may be suspended up to four games without pay for conduct detrimental to the team. Though off-duty behavior typically falls under the auspices of the NFL’s personal conduct policy, Cook’s brush with the law left him unavailable to do his job on Sunday, which clearly was detrimental to his team.
The Vikings also would likely be within their rights to cut Cook. Still, a suspension without pay extending beyond four games could give rise to a fight under the plain terms of the labor deal.
Cook joined the team via the top of round two in 2010, after the Vikings traded out of the bottom of round one with the Lions, who used the pick to take tailback Jahvid Best.