Terrion Arnold to Sign With Seahawks Despite Pending Felony Charges

SEATTLE —

Cornerback Terrion Arnold plans to sign with the Seattle Seahawks, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, who both cited sources on Thursday. The deal will run one year, a source told Rapoport, though CBS Sports reported the contract terms had not yet been made public.

Arnold, 23, was released by the Detroit Lions earlier this summer after being charged with eight felonies stemming from a kidnapping and robbery case in Tampa, Florida, in February. He turned himself in and was arrested in Hillsborough County in June, then posted a $1 million bond and was released from custody the following week, just a day before Detroit cut him. No trial date has been set, though CBS Sports reported an arraignment hearing was scheduled for Thursday in Tampa, and ESPN reported Arnold's next court date, a disposition hearing, falls on October 5.

Prosecutors allege Arnold orchestrated the kidnapping and beating of three men he wrongly believed had stolen $100,000 in cash from him along with luxury watches and bags, according to ESPN. CBS Sports reported the underlying dispute traces back to a robbery of Arnold and his friends in Largo, Florida, in which the group said more than $250,000 in cash and property was taken, including an $80,000 necklace. Six other suspects were arrested before Arnold, according to CBS Sports. Police said Arnold was not present for the assault on the three men but watched it over a livestream, and investigators consider him the primary conspirator, CBS Sports reported. Arnold has pleaded not guilty and denied the allegations through his representatives. He faces four counts of kidnapping and four counts of armed robbery, charges that carry a potential life sentence.

League Must Decide on Exempt List

Before Arnold can play, the NFL has to decide whether to place him on the commissioner's exempt list, which would let him collect a paycheck and attend meetings but bar him from practicing or playing while the league reviews his case, according to ESPN and Yahoo Sports. CBS Sports reported he also remains subject to a possible suspension from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald has acknowledged the team is weighing the legal situation. "I think we understand that anything is kind of on the table, and that's where we're at in the process," he said, according to ESPN. Arnold worked out for Seattle on Sunday and also met with the Houston Texans, New Orleans Saints and New York Giants before choosing the Seahawks, according to ESPN and Yahoo Sports. His workout appeared on HBO's