If charges are ever filed against 49ers defensive tackle Ray McDonald on an alleged assault of his fiancee, the team is prepared to discipline McDonald with a suspension or even the termination of his contract, sources tell Chris Mortensen of ESPN.com. However, that remains a significant “if.”
McDonald was set to go to court tomorrow, but the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office announced a postponement just days ago. No new court date has been scheduled yet and that won’t occur unless charges are filed. Team president Jed York and GM Trent Baalke have been steadfast in their position that due process will be honored in McDonald’s case, but a league source tells Mortensen that does not mean carte blanche. If any damaging information or facts are documented by the investigation and charges are filed, the 49ers would immediately re-visit their position.
Two weeks ago, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that SF would cut McDonald if he was found to be untruthful in his account of the incident. For now, McDonald remains with the team as his fourth start of the year is underway.