D'Qwell Jackson's offseason is off to a bad start.
The Indianapolis Colts linebacker was arrested and charged with simple assault -- a misdemeanor -- on Tuesday night, according to Metropolitan Police of the District of Columbia.
A police report obtained Wednesday by NFL Media reveals that Jackson was arrested after an argument with a driver over a parking space. The driver told authorities that Jackson punched him in the left side of the face and in the back of the head during the dispute, according to the report.
Jackson is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 26, U.S. Attorney's Office spokesman William Miller told NFL Media. The linebacker is free on his own recognizance until the hearing. Miller added that that charge carries a maximum of 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
Jackson signed a four-year, $22 million contract with the Colts last March after being drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He started all 16 games for Indianapolis and hasn't missed a start since the 2009 season.
The team released a statement about Jackson Tuesday afternoon: "The Indianapolis Colts have been made aware that D'Qwell Jackson was charged yesterday in Washington, D.C. with a count of simple assault. When the Club learns more of the surrounding facts, it will make an appropriate statement."
