NFL: Patriots' Jabrill Peppers arrested for strangulation, cocaine possession

Jabrill Peppers, safety and captain of the NFL's New England Patriots, was arrested by the Braintree (Massachusetts) Police Department on several charges related to assault and strangulation of a female and drug possession.

The player already appeared in Quincy District Court and pleaded not guilty. His lawyer said the story told by the alleged victim does not hold up.

"We are aware of an incident involving Jabrill Peppers over the weekend in which the police are currently investigating. We will have no further comment at this time," the Patriots said in a statement picked up by the NFL website.

Peppers possessed cocaine

The arrest occurred Saturday, although it was not made public until Monday. Several officers went to a property after receiving an alert about an altercation taking place between two people. One of them was Peppers, who opened the door to police.

After gaining access and seeing a woman naked and with signs of assault and strangulation, officers proceeded to arrest the Patriots captain. At the scene, police found traces of "a Class B substance believed to be cocaine." Subsequent analysis certified that it was this drug.

Peppers did not participate in his team's loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. His coach, Jerod Mayo, was already aware of the situation, so he decided to leave his player out of the game.

The Patriots safety will appear in court again on Nov. 22.