Former first-round pick Jeff Gladney has been acquitted by a jury on assault charges, reports Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com.

The cornerback was released by the Vikings last August following an indictment for domestic violence. Gladney was accused of choking, punching, and shoving a woman during an incident in April, 2021.

“First and foremost, this has had a real impact on Jeff Gladney as a person,” said agents Brian E. Overstreet and Rodney Williams (via Wilson). “These situations have very real consequences for the young men involved. This has been a challenging time for Jeff mentally, spiritually and athletically. So, we applaud Jeff for having the courage to stand and fight for his freedom versus these false allegations. We further hope this will encourage other athletes in the future who have been falsely accused, blackmailed or persuaded to provide hush money to make these type of situations go away, to now take a stand and defend themselves as well.”

The TCU product was selected in the first round of the 2020 draft by the Vikings. He got into 16 games (15 starts) as a rookie, finishing with 81 tackles and three passes defended.

Prosecutors will present their case against Vikings cornerback Jeff Gladney to a Texas grand jury on Thursday, July 22 (via the Minneapolis Star Tribune). Gladney is facing a felony family violence assault charge with the potential for anywhere between two to ten years in prison.

Gladney’s girlfriend alleges the 24-year-old corner struck her with closed fists during an argument in April. The accuser told police that Gladney punched her in her stomach, ribs and back. She also alleges that Gladney strangled her and dragged her across the ground.

The Vikings selected Gladney No. 31 overall last year as they revamped their cornerback group. He started in 15 games last year, notching 81 tackles and forced a fumble. He has not participated in the team’s offseason program this year. Needless to say, the Vikings are not banking on Gladney’s availability for 2021. And, no matter what happens from here, the NFL will surely suspend him.

Beyond Gladney, the Vikings’ cornerback group includes Patrick Peterson, Bashaud Breeland, Harrison Hand, and Dylan Mabin.

Vikings cornerback Jeff Gladney turned himself in to authorities on a felony family violence assault charge Monday in Dallas, CBS 11 News reports.

Gladney’s girlfriend alleges the 24-year-old corner struck her with closed fists during an argument, according to CBS 11. This incident occurred Friday outside a Dallas-area apartment complex.

While in a vehicle, Gladney became upset over text messages on his girlfriend’s phone and demanded to see the phone, according to the TV station, which adds that the woman threw the phone out the window. After Gladney stopped to retrieve it, he allegedly pressed the woman’s face toward the phone in order to unlock it. The accuser, 22, alleges Gladney punched her in her stomach, ribs and back. She also alleges that, once she and Gladney were back in an apartment complex, the Minnesota defender strangled her and dragged her across the ground, according to an arrest affidavit. Detectives documented bruises on the accuser.

A warrant went out for Gladney’s arrest April 2, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press tweets. He turned himself in at 11:21 a.m. Monday. Gladney faces between two and 10 years in prison if convicted on this charge. While the TCU alum faces NFL discipline as well, his troubles stretch beyond that at this point.

The Vikings, who revamped their cornerback group last year, selected Gladney 31st overall and used him as a starter in 15 games last season. The 5-foot-10, 191-pound defender made 81 tackles and forced a fumble during his rookie season.