Cardinals place RBs coach James Saxon on leave due to battery charges

Arizona Cardinals running backs coach James Saxon has been placed on leave after news broke Thursday night about Saxon facing two domestic battery charges filed in May.

“We are aware of the incident and notified the NFL as required,” the Cardinals said in a statement. “The matter is currently under review pursuant to league policies. After consultation with the league office, James has been placed on paid administrative leave.”

Head coach Kliff Kingsbury said on Friday the Cardinals knew about it “when it happened.” The alleged incident occurred on May 7 in Indianapolis while the charges came on May 25.

Kingsbury said offensive assistants Kenny Bell and Don Shumpert will take over Saxon’s duties while he is on leave.

The charges involve a Level 6 felony for assaulting a woman in front of a child younger than 16 years old and domestic battery, according to Marion County court records.

Saxon’s charges stem from an alleged physical altercation with a woman in her home in front of two children.

He pushed her multiple times, including into a garage door, according to the probable cause affidavit. She also alleged he said, “You got your gun? You might as well just shoot me now,” according to ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss.

The case is in a holding pattern until Aug. 25, when the attorney conference is set and a trial date could be determined.

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