The NFL offseason has gotten off to a rocky start for Dan Skuta. The Jaguars linebacker was arrested and charged with first degree misdemeanor battery following a June 19 incident in Orlando, according to Orange County (Fla.) court records.
The alleged incident took place after Skuta asked for a woman's number and got rejected.
According to a police report obtained CBS 47 in Jacksonville, Skuta allegedly got physical after the rejection.
In the police report, the alleged victim's friend notes that Skuta "began talking to [the alleged victim] and flirting with her. When Skuta asked for [her] phone number [and] she told him, 'No,' a verbal altercation ensued."
"The altercation turned physical when Skuta pushed victim's face with an open hand which caused the back of her head to hit a glass window," the report states.
Police noted that Skuta smelled like alcohol and that his eyes looked "to be blood shot/glassy."
Police also noted that the woman didn't ask for medical attention and that the on-site officer didn't notice any injuries.
Skuta's attorney, Mark NeJame, has disputed the eyewitness account that was offered by the victim's friend. In a statement to CBS 47, NeJame said the alleged victim was the instigator.
"Eye witnesses who we have already received statements from in our initial investigation will attest that Dan was alongside his girlfriend when this fabricated event supposedly took place and only verbally instructed two women who were harassing his friends to leave them alone," the statement said.
NeJame also added that Skuta was the one who was struck during the altercation.
"Dan was struck in the face by one of the women, as is evidenced by his mugshot, which clearly shows where he was struck," NeJame said.
Skuta clearly has a bruise below his right eye in the mugshot.
The altercation took place less then 72 hours after the Jaguars held their final minicamp of the offseason.
"The Jaguars are aware of the situation involving linebacker Dan Skuta and are currently gathering more information," the team said in a statement. "The team has been in constant communication with Dan through this process in its entirety. No further comment can be made at this time."
Skuta was released from jail on June 19 following the payment of a $500 bond. The linebacker's next court date is scheduled for July 20.
The 30-year-old, who signed a five-year, $20.5 million deal with the Jaguars in March 2015, just finished up his first season in Jacksonville. The linebacker started eight games and tallied 40 tackles along with 1.5 sacks for a Jags defense that ranked 24th in the NFL.
