Eagles offensive lineman accused of rape and kidnapping, Super Bowl appearance in doubt

Less than two weeks before the Super Bowl, an offensive lineman for the Philadelphia Eagles has been indicted on two counts stemming from an incident which allegedly occurred several years ago.

On Wednesday, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Guernsey County Sheriff Jeffrey D. Paden announced that Josh Sills, a 25-year-old rookie for the Eagles, had been indicted by a grand jury for one count of rape and one count of kidnapping, both of which are first-degree felonies.

The charges relate to an incident which allegedly occurred in December 2019. According to reports, Sills had been hanging out with a former high school friend and her cousin on December 5 when he decided to drive the two women home to the residence they shared. The high school friend, identified only as "M.M.", claimed that after her cousin exited the vehicle that evening, she attempted to leave as well but that Sills restrained her by grabbing "her by the arm and pull[ing] her back into the truck."

Sills then allegedly grabbed M.M.'s ponytail and began kissing her, even after she asked him to stop. M.M. also claimed that Sills repeatedly attempted to remove her pants and to touch her genitals. She alleged that he ultimately forced her to engage in oral sex with him.

The statement from the Ohio AG asserted that the "crime was immediately reported, and the Guernsey County Sheriff’s Office conducted a detailed investigation." When the investigation had concluded and when Sills had been arrested are both unclear.

Sills, who is originally from Sarahsville, Ohio, spent three years playing for West Virginia University before transferring to play for the Oklahoma State Cowboys in 2020 and 2021. He went undrafted in 2022 but signed with the Eagles as a free agent. He has appeared in just one career NFL game — against the Arizona Cardinals in Week Five — and logged four snaps.

Despite the limited game time, Sills was listed second on the depth chart for the right guard spot and was expected to see some game time in Super Bowl LVII against the Kansas City Chiefs on February 12. Now, his chances of participating are in doubt. The NFL has placed Sills on the Commissioner Exempt list, which means he is currently forbidden from practicing or traveling with his teammates.

"The organization is aware of the legal matter involving Josh Sills," a statement issued by the Eagles organization read. "We have been in communication with the league office and are in the process of gathering more information. We have no further comment at this time."

Sills is scheduled to appear in court again on February 16, just four days after the Super Bowl.

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