Miami Dolphins linebacker Rey Maualuga will be released by the team following his arrest in Miami-Dade County on Saturday night.
The news was first reported by Pro Football Talk, which said Maualuga was arrested on a battery charge.
Maualuga, released by the Cincinnati Bengals during the offseason, was signed late in training camp after an injury to rookie middle linebacker Raekwon McMillan.
Maualuga reported to the Dolphins overweight and out of shape and took weeks to make his way into the starting lineup.
Maualuga had 23 tackles in six games for Miami. He made his season debut against Tennessee. He had a season-best seven tackles last week against Carolina.
Maualuga, an eight-year veteran, spent his first seven seasons with the Bengals, where he played under Dolphins defensive coordinator Matt Burke, who was the Bengals' linebackers coach.
The Dolphins will likely go back to using middle linebacker Mike Hull as the starter in the base defense. Hull, a core special-teams player, started the season's first three games and totaled 20 tackles.
Maualuga's arrest and release follows a trend of high-profile events for the Dolphins this season.
It began with the season-ending knee injury to starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill and later included a postponed season opener due to Hurricane Irma, linebacker Lawrence Timmons going AWOL before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers, offensive line coach Chris Foerster resigning after a video scandal and running back Jay Ajayi being traded to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Miami's defense has been slumping recently. The Dolphins have allowed an averaged of 35 points per game in the past four games, and allowed a season-worst 294 yards rushing to Carolina in a 45-21 loss. Two games before that, Miami's previously effective run defense allowed Baltimore to rush for 174 yards in a 40-0 loss.
Maualuga was regarded as a strong run stuffer. However, it should be pointed out Hull was part of the early-season defense that was especially effective against the run.
Maualuga was an affable sort during his time with the Dolphins. He usually had a smile on his face and an upbeat attitude, a few times even joking about his weight.
His latest discovery with the Dolphins was playing fullback, which he's done for three plays in two games, including two snaps against Carolina.
Depth could become a concern at middle linebacker. Behind Hull there could be Stephone Anthony, who was acquired from New Orleans earlier this season but hasn't seen action from scrimmage, or perhaps even weakside linebacker Kiko Alonso, the starter in the middle last season.
It seems doubtful strongside linebacker Timmons, an inside linebacker in Pittsburgh's 3-4 scheme for years, would switch to the middle either as a starter or backup.
