The San Francisco 49ers have released defensive lineman Ray McDonald after it emerged police had searched his home following allegations of sexual assault.

“We as an organization have notified [McDonald] and his agent that he will be terminated, released immediately,” the 49ers general manager, Trent Baalke, said. “While this organization has a strong belief in due process and has demonstrated that over time, Ray has demonstrated a pattern of poor decision-making that has led to multiple distractions for this organization and this football team that can no longer be tolerated.”

San Jose police confirmed on Tuesday they had received a complaint that McDonald had “possibly” assaulted a woman. McDonald had been the subject of an investigation over domestic violence earlier in the year, although charges were never filed.

The NFL has been plagued by a series of incidents involving domestic abuse and violence in 2014. Ray Rice was released by the Baltimore Ravens after video footage emerged of him assaulting his partner, while the former league MVP Adrian Peterson is currently appealing a suspension after he hit his young son with a switch.

McDonald had played in every game of the 49ers’ season, despite calls to bench him.