Former Bengals LB Rey Maualuga Has Battery Charges Dropped

Free-agent linebacker Rey Maualuga reached a plea deal in his battery case that will allow him to avoid jail time.

TMZ Sports reported Maualuga agreed to enter into a diversionary program in exchange for getting the charges dropped. He will have to attend anger management classes and avoid any further trouble with the law.

Miami police arrested Maualuga last November after he allegedly grabbed a bar employee's throat regarding a dispute over his bar tab.

The Dolphins released Maualuga following his arrest. He had signed with the franchise in August 2017 after an eight-year run with the Cincinnati Bengals. No NFL team has brought in Maualuga since the charges were filed.

“I don’t know the whole situation, the whole story,” then-Dolphins teammate Ndamukong Suh told reporters last November. “I’ve heard bits and pieces of it. I think Rey is a great guy. I’ve known him since 2004. I think he’s smart. Unfortunately, some people make mistakes, but I don’t know the whole situation so I can’t really comment on it.

Maualuga recorded 607 career tackles in his nine NFL seasons.