San Francisco 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir is facing legal trouble just weeks ahead of training camp, with a Friday morning report from TMZ revealing that the 25-year-old was arrested in Los Angeles on one count of obstruction of justice.
According to the report, Lenoir was booked Thursday night and held overnight before being released Friday. He’s now scheduled to appear in court in July, putting a legal problem in the way of his offseason and possibly the 49ers’ early-season plans.
The Incident: Refusal Leads to Arrest
The arrest reportedly stemmed from Lenoir’s refusal to hand over the car keys to law enforcement. LAPD officers had approached Lenoir and another man, Marcus Cunningham, after spotting vehicles double-parked and blocking traffic. That alone might’ve triggered a traffic citation—but the situation escalated when police said they observed a firearm inside Cunningham’s vehicle.
Lenoir’s alleged refusal to comply when asked for his keys led to his arrest. Details on whether he will face further charges or if Cunningham will be charged separately haven’t been released. Still, obstruction alone is enough to put Lenoir on the league’s disciplinary radar.
Key Defender in a Spotlight He Didn’t Want
The arrest comes at a bad time for Lenoir, who’s become a central figure in the 49ers’ secondary. Drafted in the fifth round in 2021 out of Oregon, he’s outplayed his draft slot and solidified his role on a championship-caliber defense. Over the past three seasons, Lenoir has totaled 248 tackles and six interceptions. He has been playing a major role in San Francisco’s deep postseason runs.
Will This Impact the NFL Season?
The 49ers are scheduled to open their 2025 regular season on September 7 against the division rival Seattle Seahawks, and while it’s far too early to predict how—or if—this incident affects Lenoir’s availability, the timing couldn’t be worse. With the league known to investigate off-field matters under its personal conduct policy, Lenoir could be facing more than just a court date.
For now, both the player and the team will be waiting to see how the legal process unfolds. But there’s no doubt this arrest adds an unwanted storyline to the 49ers’ offseason.
