Dolphins cut Rey Maualuga after arrest

The Miami Dolphins are reportedly waiving starting middle linebacker Rey Maualuga after the veteran was arrested on Friday night. The arrest was reportedly for battery, and Maualuga was still in jail when the team made the roster move. The arrest was first reported by Pro Football Talk.

Maualuga joined the Dolphins this summer after the team lost their presumed starting middle linebacker, rookie Raekwon McMillan, to an ACL tear. Maualuga, who was headed into retirement after eight seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, took three weeks into the regular season to get back into game shape. He appeared in six games this season, recording 25 tackles. He had signed a one-year contract worth $980,000 with Miami, a move which reunited him with his former linebackers coach Matt Burke, who is now serving as the Dolphins’ defensive coordinator.

With Maualuga off the team, Mike Hull likely moves back into the starting lineup at middle linebacker. The Dolphins have primarily played in the nickel package this year, with Kiko Alonso and Lawrence Timmons the two linebackers on the field, so Maualuga’s release could have a minimal impact on the team’s defensive schemes.

UPDATE: According to 940-AM WINZ radio host And Slater, Maualuga was at Club E11even at 8:30am Saturday morning when he refused to pay a $40 tab. When he was asked again to pay the tab, Maualuga allegedly grabbed the victim by the throat.