49ers cut Ray McDonald amid sexual assault investigation

The San Francisco 49ers have released Ray McDonald just hours after the defensive end was named as a suspect in a sexual assault investigation.

San Francisco general manager Trent Baalke said Wednesday the franchise decided to cut McDonald because of a "pattern of poor decision-making."

McDonald was previously arrested on suspicion of felony domestic violence in August, but was not charged. He also was arrested on a drunken driving charge in 2010.

"We certainly believe in due process, and have demonstrated that over time. But when it becomes a pattern of poor decision making, which it has in this case, it becomes a time that it leaves you with no other choice than the one we made today," Baalke said.

McDonald remained on the active roster after his Aug. 31 arrest, and started all 14 games for the 49ers.

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Throughout the protracted investigation into the domestic violence case, the 49ers defended McDonald's right to due process, and opted to believe McDonald's account of the altercation that occurred at his 30th birthday party. Prosecutors in that case said their investigation determined the injuries to McDonald's finance were consistent with "restraint and the ensuing scuffle rather than attack," and cited insufficient evidence and the victim's refusal to participate in the investigation as reasons for not filing charges against McDonald.

But after the team was made aware Wednesday morning of a new sexual assault investigation, the team decided to move on from McDonald, Baalke said. McDonald was informed of his release in a phone call with Baalke late Wednesday morning after Baalke met with head coach Jim Harbaugh and spoke with owner Jed York.

San Jose police spokesman Albert Morales told USA TODAY Sports in an email Wednesday that police received a call from a hospital at 10:43 a.m. Tuesday about a possible sexual assault victim. Morales wrote that officers contacted the adult female victim, who said she was "possibly sexually assaulted a day prior."

The initial investigation revealed McDonald as the suspect, Morales said, and detectives from the San Jose Police Sexual Assaults and Investigation Unit have executed a search warrant on McDonald's home. No arrests have been made.

Baalke said he was "extremely disappointed" when he heard of the new investigation on Wednesday. He informed NFL offiice about the allegations, but he said the league was not consulted in the decision to release McDonald.

"This is a team decision," Baalke said. "This is not a league decision."

Should police in San Jose arrest McDonald, he could serve as the first test case for the NFL's revised personal conduct policy, which was unanimously approved by NFL owners last week. The policy includes enhanced penalties for domestic violence and sexual assault, with a baseline six-game suspension. The new policy also includes a formalized procedure for placing players who have been charged with or indicted for violent crimes on paid leave.

The league will also now conduct its own investigations and say they will provide assistance for victims.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league is "looking into" the sexual assault allegations.

McDonald will be subject to waivers, but it seems unlike a team would claim a player with significant off-field baggage and a contract set to pay him $4.1 million next season. McDonald signed a five-year, $20.1 million contract with the 49ers in 2011.