Redskin May Sue Over Attack Davis Hasn’t Ruled Out Filing Charges Against Westbrook

Washington running back Stephen Davis has not ruled out filing a criminal complaint against wide receiver Michael Westbrook for Tuesday’s attack that left Davis’ right eye swollen virtually shut.

“I don’t think he has decided,” said Davis’ agent, Ryan Schinman. “He’s really a team guy and this probably was a spur-of-the-moment outbreak by Michael. I don’t think it had anything to do with Stephen.”

Schinman said Davis is discussing the matter with his family before deciding whether to pursue a criminal complaint.

Fights are a regular part of training camp, but they almost always happen in the heat of battle when offensive and defensive players get carried away with the competition between one another. However, neither player was on the field at the time of the attack. Davis, still recovering from knee surgery, was wearing only shorts and a T-shirt.

It’s still unclear what prompted the attack, although witnesses say it was triggered by something Davis said. Coach Norv Turner repeated Thursday that nothing Davis could have said would have justified the kind of pummeling Westbrook administered.

Turner suspended Westbrook for Thursday night’s pre-season game against Miami and fined him $10,000. He also has taken his starting job away for the regular-season opener Aug. 31 against Carolina.

However, Turner wants to talk to both players before deciding on any additional action. One source said Turner is considering not playing Westbrook in the opener or asking him to consider anger counseling.

“Norv wants to hear what Michael has to say,” a source said. “Norv is very angry about this.”

Westbrook has not commented on the incident.

An eye specialist examined Davis Thursday and told Davis he will make a full recovery. He originally was scheduled to return to practice Saturday, and Schinman said he only needed clearance from the eye doctor. His knee injury appears to be healed enough to allow him to return.

Westbrook’s agent, Stephen Zucker, said the two players have had problems for more than a year.

The Redskins declined comment on the matter of criminal charges. Turner urged Davis to “let me handle it,” Turner said.