Colts LB Josh McNary placed on exempt list after rape charge

The Indianapolis Colts have submitted a request to the NFL to place linebacker Josh McNary on the commissioner's exempt list after McNary was charged with rape.

Indianapolis Colts linebacker Josh McNary was placed on the commissioner's exempt list on Thursday after McNary was charged with rape. 

The commissioner's exempt list allows a player dealing with a serious off-the-field issue -- like legal proceedings -- to be temporarily removed from a team's 53-man roster with pay. During the 2014 season, the Vikings and Panthers notably used the list for Adrian Peterson and Greg Hardy, respectively.  

While on the list, McNary will be unable to attend practice or games, but he will still receive pay. 

Court documents filed in Marion County, Ind., on Wednesday show that McNary, 26, is charged with one count of rape, one count of criminal confinement and one count of battery. You can view the criminal complaint here. (Warning: graphic content). 

On Thursday, McNary denied the allegations in a statement released by his attorney, and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The alleged incident occurred on Dec. 1. The victim told the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department that after her work shift ended at 11:30 p.m. on Nov. 30, she went to a few different bars in Indianapolis with co-workers before ending up at an "unknown apartment" with an "unknown male."

She alleges that she and the male had a physical fight before she was sexually assaulted. She then took the man's cell phone and left the apartment and contacted the police after returning to her residence.

McNary, who attended Army, played in 15 games and started four for the Colts in 2014. The second-year pro finished the season with 16 tackles and 0.5 sacks.

Indianapolis plays the New England Patriots on Sunday in the AFC Championship game.

- Stanley Kayand Molly Geary