Chiefs defensive lineman suspended 6 games for violating NFL’s player conduct policy
The Kansas City Chiefs will be without one of their top defensive linemen for an extended time because of suspension.
Charles Omenihu, whom the Chiefs signed to a two-year free-agent deal this offseason, has been suspended the first six regular-season games for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, the NFL announced Friday.
Omenihu was arrested for suspicion of misdemeanor domestic violence on Jan. 23. San Jose police reported then that Omenihu’s girlfriend stated he had “pushed her to the ground during an argument.” The police said that officers “did not observe any visible physical injuries to the survivor, (but) she did however have a complaint of pain to her arm.”
The NFL said immediately afterward that the situation involving Omenihu, who played in the NFC Championship Game later that week against the Philadelphia Eagles, would be reviewed.
Omeninu, who has missed the last two Chiefs practices at camp with a listed calf injury, is still eligible to participate in all preseason practices and games and will be allowed to return to the Chiefs’ active roster on Friday, Oct. 13. That will be after KC’s Week 6 game vs. the Denver Broncos.
According to the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, Omenihu will be permitted to attend the club facility and participate in limited activities during the second half of his suspension period. That should begin in Week 4.
The Chiefs had two defensive players suspended last season following NFL personal conduct policy violations. Linebacker Willie Gay was suspended four games following an arrest as part of a domestic violence charge, while defensive end Frank Clark sat out two games in relation to two arrests for gun charges.
KC’s depth will be tested early without Omenihu, who can play multiple positions. The Chiefs return second-year player George Karlartis on the edge, while first-round pick Felix Anudike-Uzomah — following a slow start to training camp — had his first defensive reps with the first team during Friday’s practice.
Third-year player Joshua Kaindoh has had some first-string reps as well, while Malik Herring has also been with the D-line starters at times, lining up both inside and outside.
