CJ Spillman investigated for alleged sexual assault after incident at Dallas Cowboys' team hotel last month

Police have confirmed that Spillman is part of an investigation into a sexual assault in Texas but has not been charged with any offence

CJ Spillman (here in action for the San Francisco 49ers) now plays for the Dallas Cowboys (Getty Images)

CJ Spillman of the Dallas Cowboys is under investigation for an alleged sexual assault that took place earlier in the season in the team’s hotel ahead of the week three victory over the St Louis Rams, it has been confirmed.

Spillman, 28, only joined the Cowboys this year after stints with the San Diego Chargers and the San Francisco 49ers. While police have confirmed that Spillman is involved in the investigation, he has not been charged and according to a report in the New York Daily News, authorities in Grapevine, Texas, are still investigating the veracity of the claims.

Sgt. Robert Eberling, a police spokesman, said: “We have a sexual assault report we are investigating at this time, and it does involve C.J. Spillman. He is involved in the investigation. We are looking into the matter.”

The alleged incident is said to have happened on 20 September at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center, where the Cowboys usually stay ahead of their matches. The team then travelled to St Louis the next day, where they beat the Rams 34-31.

The Cowboys safety has only made a single tackle this season, which came in the victory over the Rams, and he has struggled to settle in to his new club on the field despite their promising 3-1 start to the 2014 campaign.

He made a name for himself at both the Chargers and the 49ers by excelling on their special teams unit, and despite the on-going investigation, Spillman is still free to play in the NFL as he has not been charged with any crime.

Neither the Dallas Cowboys nor the NFL have made a statement on the matter, and when the New York Daily News attempted to contact Spillman's agent Ron Slavin, he declined to comment.

The investigation comes at a time when the NFL’s image has been severely tarnished that has led to mass questioning of Goodell’s suitability as NFL commissioner.

Baltimore Ravens running-back Ray Rice was indefinitely suspended by the NFL after a video emerged of him knocking his then-fiancee unconscious in a hotel lift. Rice, who has since married Janay Palmer, was released by the Ravens, and Goodell has since announced that he made mistakes with the initial handling of the case.

“I got it wrong with the handling of the Ray Rice matter and I am sorry for that,” said Goodell. “I got it wrong on a number of levels from the process that I led to the decision that I reached. I don't expect anyone just to take my word. I believe in accountability, I understand the challenges before me and I will be held accountable for meeting them.”

49ers defensive end Ray McDonald is also under investigation after allegedly committing domestic violence but has not yet been charged, and as a results has been allowed to play while the investigation is on-going.

As well as those cases, Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy, Arizona Cardinals running back Jonathan Dwyer and Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson have all been provisionally deactivated due to off-field incidents that have highlighted a serious problem in the NFL.

The Independent has attempted to contact the NFL, Dallas Cowboys and Ron Slavin, but have had no response.