Entering his third year in the NFL, Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Vernon Butler faces a critical point as he tries to finally live up to his first-round draft billing from 2016. At the eleventh hour before the Panthers begin training camp, his standing with the team has become even murkier than it was before. According to a report by WSOC TV, an unnamed woman has pressed charges against Butler, claiming that the Panthers DT assaulted her two weeks ago at a nightclub in Dallas, Texas. According to the woman's attorney, Butler had known the woman through Instagram and asked her for her phone number at the nightclub, but she declined to provide it. After this, the woman claims that Butler threw ice in her face, and pushed her out of the VIP section, at which point she fell down a set of stairs before Butler pushed her again. The woman claims that she suffered a bruise to her face during the incident. As Butler had been hosting an event at the nightclub, the woman was escorted out of the nightclub by security. After the allegations against Butler were reported, Panthers Public Relations director Steven Drummond issued a statement concerning the matter, which was shared by Bill Voth of the team's official website. "We just learned of the allegations involving defensive tackle Vernon Butler and we are in the process of gathering more information," reads the statement. The accusations levied against Butler place a shroud of doubt over him and his future just as the Panthers begin training camp. Drafted with the No. 30-overall pick in the 2016 Draft, Butler presented the Panthers with depth at defensive tackle and a piece that could make one of the best defensive lines in the NFL even better. So far, things have not worked out for Butler. In two seasons with the Panthers, Butler has only had 1.5 sacks: His lone full sack coming in his NFL debut against the Denver Broncos. In addition, Butler only has 26 tackles and two passes deflected to his name with no forced fumbles. Even in his third year, Butler figures to once again serve in more of a depth role between the tackles, as the Panthers signed Dontari Poe in free agency to fill the spot vacated by Star Lotulelei as opposed to moving Butler up. In the past, the Panthers have shown themselves to be particularly sensitive towards the issue of violence against women, such as when they released All-Pro defensive end Greg Hardy after he was accused of domestic violence. Though the Panthers have not had many players run into trouble off the field, Butler's circumstances present the first major challenge for new Panthers owner David Tepper, as well as the first challenge Panthers GM Marty Hurney has had of this sort in quite some time.<doc-sep>Joe Robbins/Getty Images Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Vernon Butler is under investigation following an alleged altercation with a woman at a Dallas nightclub. Per an official statement from the Dallas Police Department (via Jordan Rodrigue of the Charlotte Observer), the alleged altercation occurred on July 14 when the woman said Butler "threw a drink in her face and pushed her": Per Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer, the Panthers are currently gathering more information on the allegations against Butler. Per WSOC-TV in Charlotte, the woman's attorney said Butler knew her through Instagram and he tried asking for her phone number but that she declined. Per that report, the woman said Butler's push caused her to fall down some stairs in the nightclub. Butler was Carolina's first-round pick out of Louisiana Tech in 2016. Panthers players are scheduled to report to training camp at Wofford College in South Carolina on Wednesday.<doc-sep>Getty Images Panthers defensive tackle Vernon Butler has been accused of pushing a woman in a Texas nightclub. According to WSOC, the former first-rounder is accused of an incident in a Dallas club where he was hosting an event two weeks ago. The woman said Butler asked her for her number in a nightclub and she refused, and he then threw ice at her face, and pushed her out of the VIP section. She said she fell down the stairs, and he pushed her a second time, leaving her with a bruise on her face. She was then escorted from the club. “We just learned of the allegations involving defensive tackle Vernon Butler and we are in the process of gathering more information,” Panthers spokesman Steven Drummond said in a statement. The Panthers obviously have a high sensitivity for any such claims, considering their history with Greg Hardy’s domestic violence charges, as well as the workplace misconduct of former owner Jerry Richardson. Butler, their 2016 first-rounder, plays in a reserve role behind starters Kawann Short and free agent acquisition Dontari Poe.<doc-sep>
The Carolina Panthers have released a statement regarding allegations about defensive tackle Vernon Butler, according to Panthers.com reporter Bill Voth. Per Panthers PR director Steven Drummond: “We just learned of the allegations involving defensive tackle Vernon Butler and we are in the process of gathering more information.” — Bill Voth (@PanthersBill) July 24, 2018 According to a report by WSOC-TV in Dallas, Butler is accused of pushing a woman down the stairs at a nightclub. The woman’s attorney alleges Butler also threw ice in her face and pushed her multiple times. Butler was Carolina’s first-round pick in the 2016 NFL draft. Injuries have slowed his progress, though. He has played in 24 games, collecting 1.5 sacks and 13 tackles. With Star Lotulelei having moved on to the Buffalo Bills in free agency, Butler was expected to inherit his former starting role, lining up next to Kawann Short. However, the team went in a different direction, signing veteran tackle Dontari Poe to a three-year contract instead. While we should not assume anything about the allegations at this time, that decision could be an indication general manager Marty Hurney is uncertain about Butler’s potential and future with the team. Update: Morgan Fogarty at WCCB in Charlotte reports that the woman’s attorney says Butler had been making advances towards his client on social media. The attorney claims when she declined in person, Butler assaulted her. Atty tells me his client says Butler had been repeatedly contacting her on social media, and she declined his advances. Says he saw her at the nightclub, approached her, and she declined his advances again. Attorney says that's when Butler assaulted her. — Morgan Fogarty (@MorganFogarty) July 24, 2018 Update: Nick Carboni at WCNC reports that Dallas police are investigating the incident, which they would classify as a Class C assault, a misdemeanor.