GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Erik Walden was arrested Friday on suspicion of felony domestic violence/substantial battery and will remain in the Brown County Jail until at least Monday.
Walden allegedly assaulted his live-in girlfriend at the couple's apartment in Lawrence, just outside of Green Bay. Because of the Thanksgiving holiday, the Brown County Court is closed for the weekend, so while Walden's teammates have the next three days off following the team's 27-15 Thanksgiving Day victory at Detroit, Walden will remain in jail.
The Packers issued a statement Friday saying, "The Packers organization is aware of the situation involving Erik Walden. We are in the process of gathering more information and will refrain from making any further comment."
Hobart-Lawrence police chief Randy Bani told the Green Bay Press-Gazette the incident took place about 2:30 a.m. and the woman involved called authorities about 6:10 a.m. The woman was treated at a local hospital, and Walden was arrested and booked around 8 a.m., Bani told the Press-Gazette.
The 26-year-old Walden joined the Packers midway through last season and played in 12 games (five starts) in the regular season and playoffs. He has started all 11 games this season and played in Thursday's victory over the Lions. The team flew back from Detroit after the game and players were home by Thursday evening.
Bani said before the woman called police, she was treated for a cut and bump on her head, along with an injured right hand, at St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay.
"The officer felt that were was enough information that was given by the victim that the male was arrested," Bani said.
Walden is the first Packers player arrested since ex-Packers cornerback Brandon Underwood was arrested June 16 after an incident with his wife following the team's Super Bowl ring ceremony. Underwood was also arrested in a June 2010 incident in Lake Delton, Wis., after two women alleged he sexually assaulted them.
Underwood was released by the team in September and was suspended for two games by the league, but has yet to sign with another club.
Last week, defensive end Johnny Jolly was sentenced to six years in prison after violating the terms of a plea bargain with his third arrest on drug charges in three years. Jolly remains suspended indefinitely by the league.
Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press