Howard won’t be disciplined by league

NFL won’t suspend star cornerback for events surrounding 2019 arrest

Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard will not face league discipline for a domestic violence arrest last year for which charges were later dismissed.

Howard will not be suspended when the 2020 season begins, an NFL spokesperson confirmed to the South Florida Sun Sentinel on Wednesday.

Howard saw charges dismissed in February after his fiancée decided not to proceed with prosecution after an incident at their South Florida home on Dec. 29, 2019 — shortly after the Dolphins stunned the New England Patriots, 27-24, in the 2019 season finale on the road.

Even though charges were dismissed, Howard could have still been subject to discipline for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.

Howard missed most of the 2019 season because of a left knee that was surgically repaired in December. He has continued to rehabilitate the injury with hopes of playing during the 2020 NFL season.

The Dolphins signed Howard to a five-year extension worth $75 million last year, which made him the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL before the team signed Bryon Jones to a five-year, $82.5 million deal this offseason.

Howard had his best season in 2018, making the Pro Bowl after leading the NFL with seven interceptions, and being named the Dolphins’ team MVP.

Howard, who is 26 and under contract with the Dolphins until 2024, is viewed as one of the cornerstone players for Miami’s rebuilding process.

However, he has been unable to play all 16 games in three of his four seasons and could be limited in some fashion if/when the Dolphins begin training camp in late July.

Howard, a 2016 secondround pick out of Baylor, appeared in only five games during the 2019 season, recording 17 tackles and one interception.