Lindsay H. Jones

USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Cardinals have benched Jonathan Dwyer after the running back was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of aggravated assault.

"We became aware of these allegations this afternoon when notified by Phoenix police and are cooperating fully," the Cardinals said in a statement. "Given the serious nature of the allegations we have taken the immediate step to deactivate Jonathan from all team activities.

"We will continue to closely monitor this as it develops and evaluate additional information as it becomes available."

Phoenix police said in a media release that Dwyer's arrest stemmed from two separate incidents that occurred at a local apartment on July 21-22. They involved a 27-year-old woman and an 18-month-old child. Police said the woman left the state after the incidents, which were first reported to police Sept. 11.

Dwyer was interviewed, arrested and booked at the Maricopa County Jail on Wednesday on the following charges: one count of aggravated assault causing a fracture; one count aggravated assault involving a minor; two counts of criminal damage; one count of preventing the use of a phone in an emergency; and assault.

Police said that when interviewed, Dwyer admitted to the incidents but denied any physical assaults.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told USA TODAY Sports that Dwyer's case would be reviewed under the NFL's personal conduct policy.

Dwyer's arrest comes with the NFL embroiled in scandal following high-profile domestic violence incidents involving former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice and Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy, both of whom were arrested and charged earlier this year.

Rice entered a pretrial intervention program and was initially suspended two games by the NFL. When video surfaced last week of Rice punching his then-fiancee, the Ravens cut him, and he was suspended indefinitely by the NFL.

Hardy was found guilty of assaulting a female and communicating threats by a North Carolina judge in July but has appealed the verdict and requested a jury trial. On Wednesday, the Panthers placed him on the Exempt/Commissioner's Permission list — basically a paid suspension — while the appeal plays out.

Last month, the NFL announced players guilty of a first domestic violence incident would receive a six-game punishment under the personal conduct policy. Dwyer is at least the second player arrested on a domestic violence charge since the new policy was implemented.

San Francisco 49ers defensive end Ray McDonald was arrested Aug. 31 on suspicion of felony domestic violence, but formal charges have not yet been filed. He remains on the 49ers' active roster and has started the past two games.

Follow Lindsay H. Jones on Twitter @bylindsayhjones