Michael Oher Cited For Misdemeanor Assault

Panthers offensive tackle Michael Oher has been cited for misdemeanor assault after a Nashville Uber driver accused the veteran lineman of assault, according to a report from WSOCTV. Oher will appear for booking on May 8.Michael Oher (Vertical)

The driver alleges that he and Oher engaged in a disagreement on April 14 as Oher was being driven to downtown Nashville. After the driver put his hand on Oher’s face — an action the driver admits — Oher reportedly knocked the driver to the ground.

Oher, 30, had seemingly been dislodged from Carolina’s 2017 plans even before news of an alleged assault broke. The Panthers signed free agent Matt Kalil to displace Oher at left tackle, and subsequently drafted offensive lineman Taylor Moton in the second round. Moton figures to compete with Oher and Daryl Williams for time at right tackle.

Health questions could prevent Oher from even taking the field at any point in the near future, however, as Oher was still in the NFL’s concussion protocol as of early March. If the Panthers did decided to cut ties with Oher, they’d take on $3MM in dead money versus $2.5MM in cap savings. A post-June 1 release would create $4.5MM in cap space while only keeping $1MM in dead money on the cap.

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