Las Vegas Raiders’ Davante Adams unlikely to face NFL discipline for pushing photographer in ‘near future,’ likely to play Week 7

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams is expected to play when the team faces the Houston Texans in Week 6, pending decisions by the NFL and Kansas City Municipal Court after he shoved a photographer following the Week 5 loss.

Right after the loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football, the All-Pro wideout made his way to the tunnel at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium to reach the locker room. Visibly frustrated at the time, Adams shoved a photographer who was walking across the tunnel to attend to his postgame duties.

• Davante Adams Stats: 29 receptions, 414 receiving yards, five touchdowns, 14.3 ypc

Adams was criminally charged with violating the city’s assault ordinance. The citation alleges that Adams “by an intentional, overt act inflicted bodily injury or caused unlawful offensive contact” to the photographer. The worker reportedly suffered a concussion, a headache and is facing a possible concussion.

Related: Aaron Rodgers reached out to Davante Adams, surprised by assault charge

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the NFL is weighing potential discipline against Adams, but a decision is not expected in the near future. League officials are waiting for the legal process to be completed, whether it results in the charges being dismissed, Adams entering a guilty plea or some other potential outcome.

The NFL will conduct its own investigation into the case, speaking with Adams and the photographer about the incident. Because of the national stage it has reached and the desire for players to be reminded of the consequences of losing their cool on another person, the NFL will likely want to set a precedent that will discourage this from happening again.

Related: Las Vegas Raiders’ Davante Adams charged with misdemeanor assault

Will Davante Adams be suspended?

While the 29-year-old wideout will likely avoid an immediate suspension for Week 7, there could still be significant discipline. The incident falls under the personal conduct policy, giving the NFL significant authority to make the suspension decision. Adams can play immediately, but his availability will come into question once his legal issue is resolved and the NFL conducts an official investigation.

• Davante Adams Salary (2022): $3.5M, $3.85M signing bonus, $12.18M cap hit

As part of the new collective bargaining agreement, Adams will be able to appeal a potential suspension. The NFL Players Association represented Deshaun Watson before independent arbitrator Sue Robinson, the former federal judge who heard four allegations of sexual misconduct against the Cleveland Browns quarterback. After Robinson was handed a six-game ban, the NFL exercised its authority to overturn the length of the suspension. Instead of the league and players’ union fighting the longer ban in court, the two sides settled.

If an independent judge determines that Adams deserves a suspension, he will issue an initial ruling and the length of the ban. At that point, either the NFL or the NFLPA can appeal the decision. However, we are probably a few weeks away from starting this process for Adams.