Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel will not be punished by the NFL over a roadside argument with his girlfriend that turned physical, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
The NFL, however, contradicted Rapoport's report in a brief statement provided to The Huffington Post on Thursday morning:
No decision has been made. It continues to be under review.
On Wednesday night, NFL Players Association Attorney Heather McPhee and NFL Special Counsel for Investigations Lisa Friel met with Manziel in Cleveland, according to Cleveland.com. Both McPhee and Friel were hired by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to specifically assist the league in domestic violence and sexual assault investigations.
Last week, NFL investigators spoke to Avon, Ohio police about Manziel's Oct. 12 alleged domestic assault, according to Cleveland.com. The league interviewed the officers involved in the incident and poured over the police report, in which Manziel's girlfriend Colleen Crowley claimed to have been hit "a couple of times."
Crowley, however, has since retracted her comment, claiming that the abrasion she suffered on her arm happened when Manziel tried to keep her from exiting their moving car -- the same story Manziel told police at the scene.
The clock is ticking on the NFL to make a decision, because Manziel could start for the Browns this Sunday against the St. Louis Rams as first string quarterback Josh McCown continues to nurse a sore shoulder. Browns General Manager Ray Farmer told reporters on Tuesday that Manziel couldn't be suspended by the team under NFL rules -- only the NFL has the power to do so. Farmer also said that the team won't deactivate Manziel for the Rams game.
The Browns, for their part, reportedly want Manziel to break up with Crowley.
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