Mark Walton Waived by Bengals After RB's Third Arrest in 3 Months

The Cincinnati Bengals waived running back Mark Walton on Saturday, two days after he was arrested for the third time in 2019.

"It's important for our team to get off to a fresh start as we begin the 2019 season," first-year Bengals coach Zac Taylor said in a statement. "For that reason, we felt it best if we move forward without Mark Walton. We hope his situation gets resolved, but we don't want to take anything away from the good work that so many other players have already begun to demonstrate."

David Ovalle of the Miami Herald reported Walton faces charges of carrying a concealed weapon, marijuana possession and reckless driving after allegedly being involved in a high-speed chase in Florida on March 12.

Ovalle reported court documents allege that Miami-Dade police officers attempted to pull Walton's vehicle over after catching him speeding and weaving through traffic. When the NFL player pulled over in front of a house, he was said to have initially obeyed and went to the ground. However, he then allegedly attempted to escape law enforcement.

Walton was shot in the back by a Taser during a foot chase but was able to detach the electrified prongs and continue to run.

A search of Walton's vehicle recovered 14 grams of marijuana, a 9 millimeter carbine rifle and several fully loaded clips. The gun was legally purchased by Walton.

It marks just the latest run-in with the law for the 22-year-old.

Walton was previously charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession on Jan. 16. One month later, he was arrested on a battery charge. In the latter case, Ovalle reported Walton was accused of sparking a fight by taking a cell phone from Paulina Nowak, who was recording him refusing to move his car. Both parties were said to have suffered "minor scratches."

The Bengals had been known to give troubled players second (and perhaps more) chances during former coach Marvin Lewis' 16-year tenure. But when he was hired in February, Taylor made it clear that he was focused on establishing a "culture of high standards" and intended to hold everyone accountable.

A fourth-round pick out of Miami last year, Walton found himself behind Joe Mixon and Giovani Bernard on Cincinnati's depth chart. He ran for 34 yards on 2.4 yards per carry and had five receptions for 41 yards as a rookie.