BRAINTREE – New England Patriots safety and team captain Jabrill Peppers pleaded not guilty Monday to assault and drug charges after being arrested over the weekend in Braintree, Massachusetts.

Braintree police announced Peppers’ arrest Monday, shortly before he was arraigned in Quincy District Court.

Jabrill Peppers arrested

According to police, an altercation occurred between two people at a home that led to Peppers’ arrest on Saturday.

Details of the incident were not disclosed in court. According to court documents, the accuser told police that Peppers hit and choked her several times around 4 a.m. before pushing her down the stairs.

Peppers was charged with assault on an intimate partner, assault with a dangerous weapon, strangulation and possession of a Class B drug, which police said was cocaine.

The woman was treated at the scene, police said.

Jabrill Peppers attacks

In court Monday morning, Peppers was asked by the judge whether he was aware of the allegations and whether he had pleaded innocent on all counts. He replied, “Yes, sir.”

Before Peppers was released on $2,500 bail he posted Saturday, prosecutors requested that he have no contact with the female victim in the case. Peppers’ attorney agreed to the request.

“Judge, despite the fact that this is the case, if there is evidence that I have already seen that casts real doubt on the allegations, including video evidence, my client will not object to this condition and will agree to the same,” said Peppers’ lawyer.

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for Nov. 22, but Peppers waived his right to appear in court that day.

Patriots “gather information”

The New England Patriots released a brief statement following Peppers’ arrest.

“We are aware of an incident involving Jabrill Peppers over the weekend which police are currently investigating. We will have no further comment at this time,” the team said.

Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo said on WEEI Monday morning that the team was still “gathering information,” but added that Peppers was still on the team.

“I don’t think anyone knows the facts or anything like that. It’s a process,” Mayo said.

A short time later, during his regularly scheduled conference call with the media, Mayo was asked whether Peppers would be placed on the NFL commissioner’s exempt list.

“We have informed the NFL and are still gathering information. I know the team made a statement today,” Mayo said. “I’m not sure how the league and we will handle this going forward, but we should have more information in the next few days.”

Mayo was asked if Peppers would be allowed to return with the team in the future.

“He is not in the building today, he has to appear in court. From the way we gather information, he can definitely be in the building. We don’t know enough to say he shouldn’t be in the building,” Mayo said.

Who is Jabrill Peppers?

Peppers, who turned 29 on Friday, did not play on Sunday Defeat of the team to the Miami Dolphins in Foxboro because of a shoulder injury. He had an interception the previous week against the San Francisco 49ers.

Peppers was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 2017. After two seasons in Cleveland, he was traded to the New York Giants. The Patriots signed Peppers as a free agent in 2022.

In July, Peppers signed a three-year extension worth up to $30 million. Mayo named Peppers team captain again this year.

Peppers is one of several players in the NFL who play with a softshell Guardian cap to prevent head injuries.

After Sunday’s loss at Gillette Stadium, the Patriots are now 1-4 this season.