MANHATTAN — New York Jets wide receiver Braylon Edwards could have more than the playoffs on his mind this Sunday after skipping practice to answer charges of punching a man outside a Cleveland nightclub.
Edwards was noticeably absent at Tuesday’s Jets practice while he appeared in a Cleveland courtroom, where he took a misdemeanor plea deal of aggravated disorderly conduct, Cleveland.com reported.
In exchange, Edwards was given a suspended 180-day jail sentence and fined $1,000, the Web site said. He’ll have to do community service but will not have to report to a probation officer.
Edwards was charged with assault after allegedly punching a friend of NBA player LeBron James outside the Ultralounge and nightclub in downtown Cleveland, according to published reports.
The former Cleveland Browns starter was traded to the Jets two days after the October incident.
The Jets starting wide receiver was due to return to New Jersey following the court hearing to get up to speed for Sunday’s divisional playoff game against the San Diego Chargers.
It was unclear whether the NFL would sanction Edwards under the new, stricter code of conduct.
Edwards, who has been a disappointment for the Jets, dropped a potential touchdown pass in Saturday's 24-14 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in first round of the NFL playoffs. The troubled wide out caught 35 passes for 541 yards and four touchdowns in 12 regular season games.
