Report: Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Legarrette Blount implicated in assault

Per the St. Petersburg Times, Legarrette Blount has been implicated in a "severe beating" three months ago. Blount is alleged to have been involved in an attack on a driver, after he hit the mirror on an SUV that had Blount and two other men standing next to it. All this happened on September 11, a few hours after the season-opening loss to the Detroit Lions.

From the St. Petersburg Times article:

The victim told police he feared he had a broken nose because he was spitting blood. He "also stated that his jaw is misaligned and he believes his jaw bone is swollen or displaced because he cannot chew food because his teeth no longer line up,'' according to the police report.

It's important to note that Blount was never charged, and he is not alleged to have participated in any violence. The victim claims that Blount directed the two other men to attack him.

The only comment Blount had for the Times was "Ah, man."

With no charges filed and no subsequent investigation, this incident is unlikely to have further legal consequences. Roger Goodell, however, may feel it's necessary to intervene with a suspension. Alternatively, the Bucs might act on this themselves.

Regardless of any consequences, this is not good for Legarrette Blount or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While the team has struggled on the field, they have not had any off-field incidents this season. That despite the fact that they had a plethora of incidents last season and this offseason, including Aqib Talib's shooting.

For Blount this may carry some additional consequences, as the running back is scheduled to be an exclusive rights free agent after this season. This means the Bucs could force him to play on a very cheap contract next year, as the running back has nearly no leverage. And this incident is sure to make them think twice about offering him a long-term contract, or even bringing him back next season.

Update:

Legarrette Blount's lawyer talked to JoeBucsFan, called this a "total shake down", and notes that the victim didn't try to get something out of this until he found out Legarrette Blount was involved. He told the St. Petersburg Times "I spoke to LeGarrette and we rejected it outright because he didn't do anything wrong. We're not going to pay someone who is just making a money grab."