Rey Maualuga waived after overnight arrest

Linebacker Rey Maualuga was released by the Miami Dolphins on Saturday, and the move, according to a league source, was prompted by his arrest in Miami-Dade County late Friday night.

According to the Associated Press, court records in Miami-Dade County show an open battery case against Maualuga, though no other information about the arrest was listed Saturday.

The Dolphins promoted running back De’Veon Smith from the practice squad to fill the open roster spot.

Maualuga, released by the Cincinnati Bengals during the offseason, was signed late in training camp after an injury to rookie middle linebacker Raekwon McMillan, the projected starter.

Maualuga reported to the Dolphins overweight and out of shape and took weeks to make his way into the starting lineup after battling a hamstring injury.

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.

Miami’s defense has been struggling 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, Hull was part of the earlyseason 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.

Maualuga even saw some time at fullback, which he had done for three plays in two games, including two snaps against Carolina.

Smith, undrafted out of Michigan this year, hasn’t yet appeared in a game. He’ll join running backs Kenyan Drake, Damien Williams and Senorise Perry in the backfield.

A couple of weeks ago offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen mentioned he thought it was important to get Smith ready for game action.

Maualuga’s arrest and release follows some high-profile events for the Dolphins this season.

It began with the seasonending 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.