Ray McDonald Cleared by NFL in Domestic Violence Investigation

Ray McDonald, who was signed by the Chicago Bears in the offseason after being released by the San Francisco 49ers last December, has been cleared in his domestic violence case by the NFL. 

Adam Jahns of The Chicago Sun-Times reported Friday the league informed McDonald of the decision while noting the sexual assault investigation against the 30-year-old is still open:

Jahns also tweeted that McDonald was made aware of the decision "a couple weeks ago":

McDonald was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence in August 2014. In November, the Santa Clara County District Attorney's office announced, per Lindsay H. Jones of USA Today, that he would not be charged in the case because when left with "insufficient evidence, it is not permissible by policy or law to charge a crime."

In December, authorities in California began investigating McDonald on suspicion of sexual assault which led the 49ers to release him, with general manager Trent Baalke citing a "pattern of poor decision-making," per Evan Sernoffsky of SFGate.com. Last month, the veteran defensive lineman filed a defamation lawsuit against the woman accusing him of sexual assault.

McDonald started 14 games for the 49ers last season, recording 26 tackles and three sacks before being let go. He signed a one-year contract with the Bears on March 25 where former San Francisco defensive coordinator Vic Fangio took over the same position.