49ers cut DT Ray McDonald following sexual assault investigation

The NFL is serious about its new conduct policy. Teams want to avoid the firestorms that happened earlier this season with the Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson situations. The San Francisco 49’ers have announced that they have cut ties with defensive tackle Ray McDonald.

Earlier this season, McDonald was accused of domestic assault. The charges were dropped, and the team stood behind during those allegations. But McDonald’s home was searched after a woman went to a San Jose area hospital and claimed she was assaulted at McDonald’s home. No arrests have been made, and no charges were filed, however the Niners felt this showed a pattern of bad behavior.

General Manger Trent Baalke stated that the decision to drop McDonald was not solely based on the latest investigation.

Baalke said a “plan was put in place” with Ray and the alleged rape case went “against that plan.”

Some have questioned if the Niners would have made the same move if they were still in the playoff hunt. I believe so, the current climate dictates it.