Former Detroit Lions cornerback Cameron Sutton turned himself in to authorities Sunday night in Florida on a misdemeanor domestic battery charge.
After turning himself in to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Sutton appeared in court on Monday and was released on his own recognizance, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
An arrest warrant was issued for Sutton back on March 7 on a felony count of domestic battery by strangulation. The 29-year-old fled before authorities could apprehend him, and police caused a stir on March 20 when they said Sutton had been on the run for two weeks.
The following day, the Lions released Sutton , who played a key role on defense for the NFC runners-up in 2023.
“We were learning it the same moment you guys were learning about the warrant,” Lions team president George Wood told reporters last week. “Actually, I was on a Zoom call with the league on another matter when it popped up on my phone. As soon as that call wrapped up, we kind of quickly convened and talked about it. We were able to reach Cam and talk about it, and suggested that he get counsel and do the right thing to turn himself in. And then after that, we met the rest of the day and then the following morning to decide to release him.”
Sutton, who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2017-22, signed a three-year, $33 million contract with the Lions last offseason.
By releasing Sutton with a post-June 1 designation, the Lions were able to spread his dead cap hit over two years. However, Detroit is also trying to void Sutton’s $10.5 million guaranteed salary for 2024, which Sutton and his representation will likely seek to challenge.