Vontaze Burfict

It's a misdemeanor charge for Burfict, who has a hearing set for next week. Burfict has been out of the league since getting suspended for the remainder of 2019 following a Week 4 hit on Colts TE Jack Doyle. The off-field arrest won't help the 30-year-old's chances of getting back in the NFL. 

Burfict opened 2019 as a starter for Oakland but was suspended for the rest of the season after a helmet-to-helmet hit Week 4 against Indianapolis. The 29-year-old linebacker has a long history of dirty hits and hasn't played at a high level since 2017, so the most he can hope for this offseason is a chance to battle for a starting job.

Burfict's appeal to reduce the length of his suspension has been rejected, and he will not play another snap for Oakland during the 2019 season. The Raiders' attention will now be turned towards finding a new starting middle linebacker. The team could rely on a combination of Dakota Allen, Kyle Wilber and Justin Phillips to fill Burfict's role, or opt to sign a replacement in free agency.

Burfict certainly won't suit up for Sunday's contest against the Bears, but the results of his appeal will indicate whether or not the veteran linebacker will retake the field during the 2019 season. Considering Burfict's storied history of illegal plays, and the league's evident desire to curtail helmet-to-helmet hits and resulting injuries, it's no sure thing that Burfict's appeal will succeed in reducing his suspension.