Ravens running back Ray Rice has been granted entry into a pre-trial diversion program that, once completed, would lead to the dismissal of the third-degree charge of aggravated assault he faces as a result of a February incident in Atlantic City involving his then-fiance.
Janay Palmer is now Rice’s wife and she will join her husband at a Friday press conference for his first public comments since the arrest. The Ravens announced the details of the press conference in a release that also said Rice has remained silent until this point in order to let the process run its course.
The Ravens also reiterated that the Ravens “have praised” Rice for the steps he’s taken to rectify the situation. Team president Dick Cass sent a similar message of support for Rice and the Ravens appear ready to move on with Rice in their backfield.
They may need to wait a few weeks during the regular season for that to happen, however. Rice can be suspended by the league under the personal conduct policy, something that Chris Mortensen of ESPN reported is likely during an on-air appearance Thursday. If that happens, Bernard Pierce or Lorenzo Taliaferro could earn more playing time once Rice is back with a strong performance at the start of the season.