SPORTS BRIEFS: FSU’s Dalvin Cook has court date moved up

FSU RB Cook has court date moved up

Florida State running back Dalvin Cook had his court date for a misdemeanor battery charge set for Aug. 24.

According to the Tallahassee Democrat, a judge approved the motion filed by Cooke’s attorneys for a speedy trial after the initial court date was set for Sept. 2, just three days before FSU’s season-opener against Texas State. Jury selection for the trial in Leon County will take place on Aug. 21.

Cook, who is charged with punching a woman in the face several times at a Tallahassee bar on June 11, is not practicing with the team until the pending legal matter is resolved. His attorneys have maintained that Cook is innocent and will not accept a plea deal.

Seminoles coach Jimbo Fisher previously said he has a zero tolerance policy for players who hit women. Florida State president John Thrasher also issued a statement July 10 following Cook’s arrest and a tumultuous stretch off the field for the football program.

“Florida State is a great university. Our fans and supporters deserve better than to hear of actions that are not consistent with the school’s proud history and national stature,” Thrasher said. “We will do better. I will not tolerate anything less.”

Cook led the Seminoles in rushing as a true freshman in 2014.

Falcons re-sign Lee, release Heimuli

The Atlanta Falcons re-signed cornerback Michael Lee and waived nose tackle Ricky Heimuli after reaching an injury settlement on Wednesday.

Lee was released last Wednesday to make room for nose tackle Derrick Hopkins.

Lee, who played at Massachusetts and Fort Valley State and is a native of McDonough.

Lee made 41 tackles (24 solo) with 1.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions and had eight pass breakups during his senior season with the Wildcats. He spent three seasons Massachusetts, where he made 54 tackles, four tackles for loss, two interceptions and 11 passes defensed. Lee attended Eagle’s Landing High School.

Lee, 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, originally signed with the Falcons as an undrafted rookie free agent after the 2015 draft.

Heimuli, 6-foot-4 and 314 pounds, was originally signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted rookie free agent out Oregon after the 2014 NFL draft. He played in 39 games in four seasons with the Ducks. He made 49 tackles (21 solo), three tackles for loss, one sack and one pass defensed.

Enemkpali could face NFL discipline, criminal charges

The NFL confirmed Wednesday that it is reviewing the incident between former New York Jets player IK Enemkpali and quarterback Geno Smith, and the linebacker could face penalties under the league’s personal conduct policy.

Enemkpali punched Smith on Tuesday in the Jets locker room, breaking Smith’s jaw. Smith will have surgery and could be out for six to 10 weeks.

Enemkpali was released by the Jets almost immediately after the incident, but he is eligible to sign with another team. If Enemkpali were to sign with a different team, he could face discipline under the league’s policy, as this is considered an incidence of workplace violence.

He also could face criminal charges, if Smith chooses to pursue them.

Smith, who will miss at least six to 10 weeks with two fractures in his jaw, accepted a $600 plane ticket from Enemkpali to appear at the reserve linebacker’s football camp in Pflugerville, Texas, on July 11, sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. Problems arose when Smith did not show up for the camp, which took place days after someone close to Smith was killed in a motorcycle crash in Miami, sources said.

After Smith did not attend, Enemkpali demanded that the Jets quarterback refund him the $600 he allegedly used to purchase the plane ticket. Smith told Enemkpali he would reimburse him the money, but he had not as of Tuesday morning. Enemkpali confronted Smith on Tuesday about the money, and the confrontation ended in a punch and a broken jaw.

A source told ESPN NFL analyst Ryan Clark that Smith put his finger in Enemkpali’s face just before the linebacker punched him.

Enemkpali released a statement Tuesday afternoon saying he was sorry for his actions.

“I apologize to the Jets organization, coaches, teammates and fans,” Enemkpali said. “Geno and I let our frustration get the best of us, but I should have just walked away from the situation. I deeply regret and apologize for my actions. It was never my intention to harm anyone. I appreciate the opportunity I had with the Jets.”