For the third time since Nov. 9, a member of the Minnesota Vikings has been arrested. Linebacker Erin Henderson was arrested at 3:19 a.m. on Nov. 19 for probable cause DWI and possession of a controlled substance, the Eden Prairie Police Department confirmed in a statement on Wednesday.
Henderson was booked by police and then released, however, Henderson has not been charged with a crime yet and the case is still under investigation. Henderson had a blood-alcohol level of .11 when he was pulled over, the legal limit in Minnesota is .08.
The 27-year-old linebacker didn't practice last week and didn't travel with the team to Green Bay on Sunday. Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said that Henderson missed the Packers game because of 'personal reasons.' On Wednesday, Henderson said that the arrest had nothing to do with him missing practice last week or the Packers game.
Henderson's attorney, David Valentini, filed a petition in Hennepin County court on Tuesday to get Henderson's driving privileges back, according to ESPN.com. The petition states that officers did not have probable cause to pull Henderson over because he wasn't driving erratically and didn't fail any sobriety tests after being pulled over.
"It was a wake-up call for me," Henderson said on Wednesday. "And, honestly, it may be something that I needed in the long run, something I think will help me progress and become the person I'm capable of being and the man that I want to be."
The Vikings have had their share of problems this month. Wide receiver Jerome Simpson was arrested and charged with two counts of DWI on Nov. 9. Simpson's next court date is scheduled for Dec. 12. Former Vikings cornerback A.J. Jefferson was also arrested this month. Jefferson was arrested on Nov. 25 and later charged with felony domestic assault. Jefferson was released by the team on Monday, just hours after his arrest.
"The fact that we have had three recent off field situations is unacceptable and disappointing. Our organization looks at each situation and the circumstances involved to determine our actions with those players and how to best move forward," Vikings general manager Rick Spielman said in a statement on Wednesday.
Despite missing last Sunday's tie with the Packers, Henderson is expected to play this week when Minnesota hosts Chicago.
