Justin Hunter - Pro Football Rumors

Justin Hunter Found Not Guilty Of Assault

September 15th, 2015 at 2:03pm CST by Luke Adams

Appearing in a Virginia courtroom today, Titans wide receiver Justin Hunter was found not guilty on charges of assault and battery, according to Gabriella DeLuca of NewsChannel 3 (via Twitter).

Hunter, 24, originally faced a felony charge for an incident that took place in a Virginia Beach bar on the Fourth of July weekend. During a July arraignment, prosecutors said that Hunter started a bar fight on by punching a man in the face twice. According to prosecutors, after the bar was cleared, Hunter punched the man again while he was bent over spitting out blood on the sidewalk.

The man allegedly had a broken jaw as a result of the assault, and the Titans wideout faced a felony charge of malicious wounding. However, per an AP report, there were several people involved in the brawl, and the victim said Hunter didn’t land the most serious blow. The receiver’s attorneys argued that Hunter felt threatened, which is why he began throwing punches.

That original felonious charge was reduced to a misdemeanor assault and battery charge a few weeks ago, and today Hunter was found not guilty in court. While he’s in the clear from a legal standpoint, the NFL figures to complete its own investigation, and the former 34th overall pick could still face discipline from the league. Still, Hunter’s odds of serving a multi-game suspension due to the incident appear to have been significantly reduced as a result of the not guilty ruling.

Hunter, who has continued to play for the Titans while his legal situation plays out, was targeted just twice during Sunday’s game in Tampa Bay, catching one ball for 11 yards.

AFC Notes: Kitchen, Texans, Workouts, Fluker

September 15th, 2015 at 12:43pm CST by Luke Adams

Former Browns nose tackle Ishmaa’ily Kitchen, who was cut by Cleveland earlier this month, will pay a visit to the Texans this week, a source tells Zac Jackson of Pro Football Talk. With 2014 third-rounder Louis Nix no longer on their roster, and sixth-round rookie Christian Covington backing up Vince Wilfork, the Texans may be seeking some veteran depth to help complement J.J. Watt on their defensive line.

As we wait to see if anything materializes between Kitchen and the Texans, let’s check in on a few other items from across the AFC….

Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post passes along some workout updates, reporting (via Twitter) that the Jets are auditioning former Broncos defensive end Quanterus Smith today, and that linebackers Troy Davis, Quayshawn Nealy, and Nick Moody recently worked out for the Chiefs. Moody has since signed to Seattle’s practice squad.
Chargers offensive lineman D.J. Fluker is expected to miss “considerable time” due to an ankle injury, writes Bernie Wilson of The Associated Press. Johnnie Troutman would likely be the next man up to replace Fluker as San Diego’s right guard.
The trial for Titans wide receiver Justin Hunter, who was charged with assault and battery following a July bar brawl, is set to begin today in Virginia Beach, according to an Associated Press report.
Examining A.J. Green‘s new extension with the Bengals, Bryce Johnston of Over the Cap observes that even though Green’s second-year base salary isn’t fully guaranteed at the time of his signing and he trails other star wideouts in terms of fully guaranteed money, his contract looks just as strong as those other deals.

Extra Points: Hunter, Brady, Thomas

September 1st, 2015 at 9:25pm CST by Zachary Links

Titans wide receiver Justin Hunter‘s case was continued until Sept. 15 because a defense witness did not show up to court today, Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com tweets. Just days ago, Hunter had his charge reduced to a misdemeanor. The 24-year-old was viewed as a potential breakout candidate last year, but battled injuries and complied just 498 yards and three touchdowns on 28 receptions.

Here’s more from around the NFL..

Judge Richard Berman will issue his decision and order in the Tom Brady case by the end of the week, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. As it stands, the Patriots QB is set to serve a four-game suspension.
Following his doctor’s visit, Jaguars tight end Julius Thomas has decided to have surgery on his injured finger on Wednesday, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Thomas could be out for a month, as previously estimated.
Larry Foote was coaching at Cardinals practice today, which is likely a sign that he’s not playing this season, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com tweets. Foote had to make a decision on his status by 1pm Arizona time, and that deadline has come and gone. The Cardinals added the 35-year-old to their coaching staff earlier in the offseason with the intent of signing him to the roster later in the summer if he decided to continue playing.
Rams coach Jeff Fisher made it clear that Case Keenum will be the team’s No. 2 quarterback, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com tweets. That leaves Austin Davis and Sean Mannion to battle for the No. 3 job (link). Given that Mannion was a third-round pick this year, it seems unlikely that Davis will win that battle.

Justin Hunter Charge Reduced To Misdemeanor

August 28th, 2015 at 2:46pm CST by Luke Adams

Titans wide receiver Justin Hunter will no longer face a felony charge for an incident that took place in a Virginia Beach bar on the Fourth of July weekend, writes Terry McCormick of 247Sports.com. As McCormick details, prosecution will now only pursue a misdemeanor assault and battery charge, rather than the felony malicious wounding charge Hunter was initially facing.

During a July arraignment, prosecutors said that Hunter started a bar fight on July 3 by punching a man in the face twice. According to prosecutors, after the bar was cleared, Hunter punched the man again while he was bent over spitting out blood on the sidewalk. The man allegedly had a broken jaw as a result of the assault.

Had he been found guilty on the felony charge of malicious wounding, Hunter would have been facing five to 20 years in prison and a $100K fine, whereas the penalty for a misdemeanor assault and battery charge will be significantly less.

Still, the NFL is looking into the incident, and while the distinction between a felony and misdemeanor has a significant impact in court, it may not significantly affect the suspension Hunter may be facing. The league figures to let the legal process play out before announcing any discipline for the Titans wideout, so it’s possible he won’t be suspended until the 2016 season if the NFL determines he violated the league’s personal conduct policy.

With legal issues clouding Hunter’s future off the field, he’ll have to perform well on the field this season to have a future with the Titans. The 24-year-old was viewed as a potential breakout candidate last year, but battled injuries and complied just 498 yards and three touchdowns on 28 receptions.

AFC South Notes: Colts, Hunter, Clemons

July 31st, 2015 at 5:40pm CST by Luke Adams

In his look at the Colts‘ top five priorities for training camp, Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star suggests the team needs to solidify its offensive line and attempt to work out some contract extensions within the next few weeks. Although the Colts have been mentioned as a potential suitor for Evan Mathis, they have no plans to sign him, preferring instead to work on developing their long-term pieces on the line, says Holder. He also notes that extension discussions between T.Y. Hilton and the Colts have re-opened, which could be a promising soon as the wide receiver enters a contract year.

Here’s more on the Colts and their division rivals:

Hilton, left tackle Anthony Castonzo, and a pair of tight ends top the list of the Colts‘ most important expiring contracts, writes Zak Keefer of the Indianapolis Star. Castonzo is another player that Indianapolis would like to lock up before the season, if possible.
Speaking to the media today, Titans wide receiver Justin Hunter said he has yet to hear from the NFL following his arrest on a felonious assault charge, writes Terry McCormick of 247Sports.com. “Right now, it’s in the hands of my attorneys and I’m just focused on football,” Hunter said of his legal situation.
Jaguars pass rusher Chris Clemons, who missed the team’s OTAs this spring, reported to training camp today, tweets John Oehser of Jaguars.com. Clemons was placed on the non-football injury list and won’t practice right away.

WR Rumors: Hilton, Jones, Green, Hunter

July 27th, 2015 at 3:48pm CST by Luke Adams

Earlier today, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com reported that some executives around the league believe that the price tag on Andrew Luck‘s eventual extension could make it tricky for the Colts to commit $12MM or so annually to T.Y. Hilton as well. According to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link), however, the team is currently engaged in extension discussions with the wideout.

Agent Drew Rosenhaus told Cole that the Colts and Hilton are unlikely to reach any sort of agreement before training camp begins, but Cole appears confident that the two sides could work something out within the next several weeks. He also adds that Hilton is expected to seek upwards of $14MM annually on a new deal.

Hilton is a very productive player, but he’s not the sort of prototypical No. 1 receiver that guys like Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas are, so I’d be pretty shocked if the Colts inked him to an extension in that neighborhood. If the two sides do get something done before the season begins, something closer to Randall Cobb‘s four-year, $40MM pact makes more sense to me.

Here are a few more notes on wide receivers from around the league:

Those Bryant and Thomas contracts figure to have more of an impact on A.J. Green and Julio Jones. According to Cole (video link), the Bengals‘ and Falcons‘ stars will look to exceed the $14MM average salaries landed by Bryant and Thomas, and get something in the neighborhood of $15MM per year. Both Green and Jones have missed time with injuries, but that’s not expected to be a huge roadblock in either contract negotiation, says Cole.
Justin Hunter‘s arrest is currently “under review” by the NFL, writes Terry McCormick of 247Sports.com. It will likely be some time before the NFL announces any discipline for the Titans receiver, who was charged with felonious assault for allegedly breaking a man’s jaw in a bar fight.
In search of some wide receiver depth, the Jets worked out former second-round pick Greg Little, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Little, who played three seasons for the Browns, spent most of last season with Cincinnati.

AFC Notes: Hunter, Heyward, Texans, Raiders

July 24th, 2015 at 11:17am CST by Zachary Links

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk doesn’t understand why Titans wide receiver Justin Hunter hasn’t been put on paid leave after allegedly punching a man in the face and breaking his jaw. Hunter currently faces five to 20 years in prison and a $100K fine, but the Titans are reportedly expected to have him in camp.

Technically, the conduct policy only says that a player may be placed on paid leave if he is charged with a crime or if a league investigation “leads the commissioner to believe that [the player] may have violated this policy.” Still, Florio feels that the NFL should show some consistency and sideline Hunter.

Here’s more from around the AFC:

Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post has the complete breakdown of Cameron Heyward‘s extension. The Steelers defensive end will earn a $12MM signing bonus and a $15MM guarantee on his deal. He carries respective cap hits of $6.4MM, $10.4MM, $10.4MM, $11.4MM, $11.15MM, and $9.5MM from 2015 to 2020.
The Texans are working out former Boston College offensive tackle Matt Patchan, a league source tells Wilson. After going undrafted in 2014, Patchan signed with the Bucs, and spent time on the club’s practice squad last year.
Former agent Joel Corry of CBSSports.com identifies one or two players for each AFC team who are at some sort of career crossroads, or are facing make-or-break type seasons in 2015.
The Raiders wanted to upgrade the safety spot, and believe they did so by signing Nate Allen from Philadelphia this offseason, Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com writes. The Raiders hope that Allen can play center field and free up Charles Woodson to make big plays down field. Of course, Allen has given up some big plays in the past and a skeptic might wonder if he’s the man for the job.
Adam Caplan of ESPN.com joined Mighty 1090 in San Diego (audio link) to discuss Ladarius Green‘s opportunity in the wake of Antonio Gates‘ suspension. The young Chargers tight end was widely expected to break out in 2014, but Gates was as good as ever to start the year and didn’t cede his starting job. Now, Green has an opportunity to shine with Gates sidelined.

Luke Adams contributed to this post.

Justin Hunter Updates: Tuesday

July 21st, 2015 at 8:47pm CST by Luke Adams

Having allegedly been involved in a bar fight over the Fourth of July weekend earlier this month, Titans wide receiver Justin Hunter was arrested in Virginia on reported allegations of “malicious intent.” The Titans issued a brief statement yesterday, indicating that the team was aware of the situation and was still in fact-gathering mode.

While Tennessee continues to gather facts, more details of Hunter’s situation are emerging. We’ll round up Tuesday’s updates in this space, with any additional news added to the top of the page throughout the day:

The Titans will let the legal process play out, Ed Werder of ESPN.com tweets. Hunter can be expected to take part when training camp opens despite his arrest for felony assault, Werder’s source indicates.
Hunter’s attorneys have released a statement (via Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com on Twitter): “Justin has been released on $25k bond with normal and reasonable conditions. Based upon all the factors that the court must consider, including prior history and character, strength of the case, and risk of flight, the judge recognized that bond was appropriate. We look forward to vigorously defending the allegations.”
After appearing in court today, Hunter was released on a $25K bond and was placed under a curfew, writes Brock Vergakis of The Associated Press. Per Vergakis, Hunter was charged with malicious wounding.
During today’s arraignment, prosecutors said that Hunter started a fight on July 3 by punching a man in the face twice, writes Vergakis. According to prosecutors, after the bar was cleared, Hunter punched the man again while he was bent over spitting out blood on the sidewalk. The man allegedly had a broken jaw as a result of the assault.

Earlier updates:

The victim in the fight that led to Hunter’s arrest was admitted to the hospital with apparent broken bones, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link), who cites Virginia police. Rapoport adds in a second tweet that Hunter’s “weapon” was his fists.
The victim that pressed charges against Hunter sustained “serious, but not life-threatening” injuries during the brawl inside the Sandbar Raw Bar on July 3, a Virginia Beach police officer tells Terry McCormick of 247Sports.com.
Having turned himself in on Monday, Hunter was booked and held overnight without bond, though bond will likely be set in the case today, writes McCormick. The wideout is scheduled to appear this afternoon in a Virginia courtroom for arraignment on a felonious assault charge.
During today’s court appearance, Hunter’s next court date will also be set — that date should be about six weeks from now, says McCormick.

Titans’ Justin Hunter Arrested

July 20th, 2015 at 4:53pm CST by Zachary Links

4:53pm: The Titans issued a statement on Hunter’s arrest (via Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com on Twitter): “We are aware of the situation and are continuing to gather more facts.”

4:35pm: The incident took place on July 3rd, according to an article from News Channel 5. A victim was taken to the hospital for injuries sustained during the incident.

The Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office arrested Hunter on allegations of “malicious intent, stabbing, cutting, and wounding,” according to the online report. Needless to say, those are allegations that could certainly lead to missed games. Hunter’s future with the Titans may also be in jeopardy.

4:26pm: Titans wide receiver Justin Hunter was arrested in Virginia and is currently in jail, according to News Channel 5 in Nashville (on Twitter). Police charged Hunter with one count of felonious assault in Virginia Beach.

Hunter, 23, was viewed as a potential breakout candidate entering the 2014 season, but struggled to put up big numbers in part due to the Titans’ revolving door at quarterback. Catching balls from Mettenberger, Jake Locker, and Charlie Whitehurst this season, Hunter recorded 28 receptions for 498 yards and three touchdowns. He suffered a lacerated spleen in a December contest against the Texans, ending his season early.

Details of the incident are unknown at this time, but the Titans could be down a receiver to start the year if the arrest warrants a suspension.

Titans Place Justin Hunter On IR

December 2nd, 2014 at 3:16pm CST by Luke Adams

3:16pm: Confirming that Hunter has been moved to IR, the Titans also announced that they’ve signed offensive tackle Terren Jones from the Ravens’ practice squad (Twitter link).

3:12pm: While quarterback Zach Mettenberger hopes to return to the field soon, one of his top targets will miss the rest of the season. According to Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean (via Twitter), the Titans intend to place wide receiver Justin Hunter on injured reserve, with the transaction likely becoming official today.

Hunter, 23, was viewed as a potential breakout candidate entering the season, but struggled to put up big numbers in part due to the Titans’ revolving door at quarterback. Catching balls from Mettenberger, Jake Locker, and Charlie Whitehurst this season, Hunter recorded 28 receptions for 498 yards and three touchdowns. He left Sunday’s contest against the Texans due to a lacerated spleen, spending some time in a Houston hospital after the game. While he’s expected to make a full recovery, Hunter will see his sophomore season come to an early end.

Putting Hunter on IR will open up a roster spot for Tennessee, so we’ll have to see if the team decides to add a receiver or to bolster another spot. If the Titans were to promote a player from the practice squad, wideouts Derek Moye and Rico Richardson would be prime candidates.