Steelers LB Anthony Chickillo Told Not to Report to Practice on Monday

PITTSBURGH — As the Steelers returned to practice on Monday following their weekend off, linebacker Anthony Chickillo was told not to report to the team’s practice facility, according to a team spokesperson.

Chickillo was arrested in Fayette County on Sunday and charged with simple assault, criminal mischief and harassment.

“He has been instructed to not be in the building today as we continue to gather more information and work with the NFL Office.”

Chickillo has not been formally suspended by the team or the league, though such a move could be forthcoming.

He was arrested by Pennsylvania State Police after an incident that reportedly involved his girlfriend, Canadian Olympic pole vaulter Alysha Newman, at Nemacolin Woodlands resort in Wharton Township.

Chickillo was released on $10,000 bail on Sunday and will have a preliminary hearing on Oct. 30.

Any legal repercussions may be supplemented by the NFL. The league’s personal conduct policy calls for a six-game suspension, pending aggravating and mitigating factors, for violations that including domestic violence or dating violence.

The linebacker signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Steelers this offseason. If the team released him, they would save about $500,000 on this year’s salary cap, but would have a $1.1 million dead cap hit in 2020.

Chickillo and Newman attended Miami together and have been together for several years. The Steelers drafted Chickillo in 2015 and he’s in his fifth season with the team.

He’s played in just three games this season while hampered by plantar fasciitis in his right foot. Chickillo has one tackle and one-half sack on the season.