If Johnny Manziel ever makes the decision to return to the NFL, he might have to wait awhile before he can actually play.
Despite the fact that he reached a tentative settlement with prosecutors in Texas to dismiss his domestic-violence assault case, Manziel could still be hit with a six-game suspension by the NFL.
An NFL spokesman confirmed to ESPN.com on Thursday that Manziel's domestic violence case is still under investigation by the league.
Even if prosecutors agree to dismiss the charge, the NFL can punish Manziel under the league's domestic violence policy. Manziel was arrested in January after an incident with his ex-girlfriend, Colleen Crowley.
Crowley's attorney alleges that Manziel ruptured her eardrum during the altercation. Crowley also alleges that Manziel struck her several times and threatened to kill them both. Manziel has denied any wrongdoing.
From the NFL's point of view, the case being dismissed wouldn't necessarily mean anything in relation to a potential punishment from the league. Under the NFL's domestic violence policy, a player doesn't necessarily have to be formally charged with a crime or punished by the justice system in order to be punished by the NFL.
Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott is another player who's currently being investigated by the NFL over an alleged incident of domestic violence. Elliott was involved in two situations, but has been legally cleared in both cases. Despite that, the league is still investigating and could punish the Cowboys running back.
As for Manziel, if he were to sign with a team at any point over the next few months, he would likely miss almost half of the 2017 season. Before the 2016 season started, the NFL's chief disciplinary officer, Todd Jones, told ESPN.com that Manziel would have a suspension waiting for him if he signed with anyone.
Despite the fact that he reached a tentative settlement with prosecutors in Texas to dismiss his domestic-violence assault case, Manziel could still be hit with a six-game suspension by the NFL.
An NFL spokesman confirmed to ESPN.com on Thursday that Manziel's domestic violence case is still under investigation by the league.
Even if prosecutors agree to dismiss the charge, the NFL can punish Manziel under the league's domestic violence policy. Manziel was arrested in January after an incident with his ex-girlfriend, Colleen Crowley.
Crowley's attorney alleges that Manziel ruptured her eardrum during the altercation. Crowley also alleges that Manziel struck her several times and threatened to kill them both. Manziel has denied any wrongdoing.
From the NFL's point of view, the case being dismissed wouldn't necessarily mean anything in relation to a potential punishment from the league. Under the NFL's domestic violence policy, a player doesn't necessarily have to be formally charged with a crime or punished by the justice system in order to be punished by the NFL.
Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott is another player who's currently being investigated by the NFL over an alleged incident of domestic violence. Elliott was involved in two situations, but has been legally cleared in both cases. Despite that, the league is still investigating and could punish the Cowboys running back.
As for Manziel, if he were to sign with a team at any point over the next few months, he would likely miss almost half of the 2017 season. Before the 2016 season started, the NFL's chief disciplinary officer, Todd Jones, told ESPN.com that Manziel would have a suspension waiting for him if he signed with anyone.
