Bernard Pierce hit with DUI charge

Running back Bernard Pierce became the third Baltimore Ravens player arrested this offseason when he was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol early Wednesday morning.

Pierce failed a field sobriety test after being pulled over near the Baltimore beltway just before 2 a.m. ET and was arrested, according to Baltimore County police.

He is charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol, driving while impaired by alcohol, exceeding maximum speed (55 mph in a posted 30 mph zone) and driving a vehicle in excess of reasonable and prudent speed on a highway.

The Ravens acknowledged the incident:

Since the season ended, nose tackle Terrence Cody was indicted on animal cruelty charges and cornerback Victor Hampton was arrested for driving while impaired. The Ravens quickly released both players.

According to charging documents, Pierce told the arresting officer: "Do you know what happened the last time a Ravens player got a DUI? I'm getting cut tomorrow, not like you care."

Pierce also asked if "the incident could be kept off the books."

The Ravens had five players arrested last offseason, including Ray Rice, but all the players had their cases dismissed or entered pretrial intervention programs.

Darren Sanders, the team's director of security, has a May 12 trial date on assault and sex offense charges. He pleaded not guilty earlier this month.

Pierce, 24, was expected to replace then-starter Rice in September. But injuries and lack of productivity dropped him to fourth on the depth chart by the end of the season behind Justin Forsett, Lorenzo Taliaferro and Fitzgerald Toussaint.

A third-round pick by the Ravens in 2012, Pierce has averaged fewer than 4 yards per carry the past two seasons.

Baltimore re-signed Forsett earlier this month.

A look at the eight Ravens players that have been arrested since February 2014 and the status of their cases: