MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP/WSVN) – The Dolphins waived linebacker Rey Maualuga on Saturday after he was arrested on a misdemeanor battery charge at a nightclub in Downtown Miami.
The team announced the move without comment on the legal situation, saying they were promoting running back De’Veon Smith from the practice squad to take Maualuga’s roster spot.
According to City of Miami Police, an employee at E11EVEN Miami nightclub confronted Maualuga about a tab for which he still owed $40. Investigators said the suspect became upset and refused to pay.
A verbal altercation ensued and, officials said, Maualuga grabbed the victim by the throat and shoved him. The Dolphins player was escorted out of the nightclub and taken into custody.
Maualuga was later transported to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. It was unclear if he had an attorney.
Mike Hull will likely assume a starting role in Maualuga’s place for the Dolphins.
Maualuga was brought in as a free agent in August after rookie linebacker and projected Dolphins starter Raekwon McMillan was lost for the season with a knee injury. Maualuga needed several weeks to get in shape and recover from a hamstring injury, and was coming off an effort Monday night where he had a season-high seven tackles in a loss to Carolina.
The Dolphins (4-5) enter Sunday on a three-game losing streak and sitting in third in the AFC East. They have been outscored by 87 points this season, the fourth-worst figure in the NFL ahead of only the New York Giants, Cleveland and Indianapolis.
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