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McDonald's domestic violence charges dropped

 
The Santa Clara County district attorney’s office has declined to file charges against the San Francisco 49ers’ Ray McDonald in a felony domestic violence investigation stemming from his Aug. 31 arrest.[Associated Press]
The Santa Clara County district attorney’s office has declined to file charges against the San Francisco 49ers’ Ray McDonald in a felony domestic violence investigation stemming from his Aug. 31 arrest.[Associated Press]
Published Nov. 11, 2014

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The Santa Clara County district attorney's office said Monday it declined to file charges against 49ers defensive lineman Ray McDonald in an investigation into domestic violence stemming from his Aug. 31 arrest.

Prosecutors said in a release that they had insufficient evidence to charge the former Gator. They cited conflicting versions of what happened, a lack of verifiable eyewitnesses and a lack of cooperation by the alleged victim, McDonald's fiancee.

McDonald has started all nine games despite outside pressure on the 49ers to bench him. He has 24 tackles, 15 solo.

"I appreciate the seriousness of the situation and I understand and respect that law enforcement had a job to do, which is why I cooperated fully with their investigation from beginning to end," McDonald said in a statement. "I am relieved that the DA's office has rightfully decided not to file charges."

Palmer out: When Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer hurt his knee Sunday against the Rams while trying to elude a sack, he knew immediately that his season was over. "I didn't need an MRI or an X-ray," he said. "I felt a pop so I knew it was my last time on the field this year." Tests confirmed that it was a torn left ACL, the same knee he injured even more severely in a 2006 playoff game while with the Bengals, and he is out for the season. The injury came two days after he signed a three-year contract extension worth $50 million, with $20.5 million guaranteed. Surgery will wait for two weeks to let the swelling subside. "It's not easy," Palmer said. "I'm not going to lie. I cried like a baby last night and I'm not an emotional guy. The last time I cried like this was when I lost my friend and teammate Chris Henry back in '09."

Late Sunday: Aaron Rodgers diagnosed the blown Bears coverage. Jordy Nelson caught the pass and slipped away from a defender. Randall Cobb waved his fellow receiver in his direction so he could throw a block. Touchdown Nelson from 73 yards — the kind of big play that epitomized a milestone evening for the Packers at the expense of their reeling division rivals. It was one of six touchdown throws by Rodgers in a 55-14 rout, tying the franchise game record and matching the NFL mark for a half. "Unbelievable. For him to do that, and to do it in the first half, is remarkable," said Cobb, who caught an 18-yard score near the end of the second quarter. Rodgers was 18 of 27 for 315 yards, tied the team record for TD passes in a game set by current teammate Matt Flynn, and matched the mark for a half set by Oakland's Daryle Lamonica in 1969.

Peterson case: As expected, the NFL Players Association filed an expedited grievance with the NFL to reinstate Vikings running back Adrian Peterson. After facing child abuse charges in Texas, Peterson pleaded no contest last week to a lesser charge of misdemeanor reckless assault.

Dolphins: Left tackle Branden Albert is out for the season with a right knee injury. He's in the first year of a $47 million, five-year contract with $26 million guaranteed. ESPN reported that he tore his ACL and MCL.

Obituary: Former Vikings safety Orlando Thomas, who led the league in interceptions as a rookie in 1995, died of complications from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease. He was diagnosed in 2003. He died Sunday at 42 in his hometown of Crowley, La.