UPDATE (Wednesday, 10:12 a.m.): The Washington Post reports the NFL is considering placing Antonio Brown on the commissioner’s exempt list while it investigates rape and sexual assault allegations against the New England Patriots wide receiver. Read more about that here.

Wide receiver Antonio Brown has been accused of rape and sexual assault, according to a lawsuit filed by his former trainer, just three days after he joined the New England Patriots.

Commissioner Roger Goodell and the NFL have struggled in the past with handling cases of sexual assault and domestic violence.

Given the severity of these allegations, Brown could find himself on the commissioner’s exempt list. It lets teams keep a player (albeit not on the 53-man active roster) with pay, for as long as the team wishes, while an investigation occurs.

Here are the details, via the NFL’s player personnel policy manual:

The Exempt List is a special player status available to clubs only in unusual circumstances. The List includes those players who have been declared by the Commissioner to be temporarily exempt from counting within the Active List limit. Only the Commissioner has the authority to place a player on the Exempt List; clubs have no such authority, and no exemption, regardless of circumstances, is automatic. The Commissioner also has the authority to determine in advance whether a player’s time on the Exempt List will be finite or will continue until the Commissioner deems the exemption should be lifted and the player returned to the Active List.

Under the NFL’s personal conduct policy, Brown could face a six-game suspension, depending on the outcome of the investigation into these allegations.

From the personal conduct policy:

Violations involving assault, battery, domestic violence or sexual assault will result in a baseline six-game suspension without pay, with more if aggravating factors are present, such as the use of a weapon or a crime against a child. A second offense will result in banishment from the NFL.

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The lawsuit against Brown, filed Tuesday in Florida by a woman who identifies herself as Britney Taylor, makes three separate allegations of rape or sexual assault, as the New York Times reports.

“Mr. Brown denies each and every allegation in the lawsuit,” said a statement from Darren Heitner, a lawyer representing Brown. “He will pursue all legal remedies to not only clear his name but to also protect other professional athletes against false accusations.”

Matt Lombardo may be reached at MLombardo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattLombardoNFL