Dolphins waive Rey Maualuga after arrest in Miami

MIAMI GARDENS, FLA. » The Dolphins waived linebacker Rey Maualuga on Saturday after he was arrested on a misdemeanor battery charge in Miami.

The teamannounced the move without comment on the legal situation, saying they were promoting running back De’Veon Smith from the practice squad to take Maualuga’s roster spot.

It was unclear if Maualuga had an attorney. Police and court records show Maualuga was arrested after an early morning incident at a downtown Miami nightclub, allegedly involving a dispute over a bar bill.

Maualuga had 23 tackles for the Dolphins this season in six games, four of them being starts. Miami hosts Tampa Bay on Sunday.

Mike Hull will likely assume a starting role in Maualuga’s place for the Dolphins.

Maualuga was brought in as a free agent in August after rookie linebacker and projected Dolphins starter Raekwon McMillan was lost for the season with a knee injury. Maualuga needed several weeks to get in shape and recover froma hamstring injury, and was coming off an effort Monday night where he had a season-high seven tackles in a loss to Carolina.

The Dolphins (4-5) enter Sunday on a three-game losing streak and sitting in third in the AFC East. They have been outscored by 87 points this season, the fourth-worst figure in the NFL ahead of only the New York Giants, Cleveland and Indianapolis.

Winston accused of groping Uber driver

TAMPA, FLA. » The NFL is investigating an allegation that Jameis Winston groped a femaleUber driver in 2016, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback has denied the allegation on his social media accounts.

The Buccaneers acknowledged the allegation Friday and released a statement saying they are in the “process of obtaining further information regarding today’smedia report. We take thesematters seriously and are fully supportive of the investigation that is being conducted by the NFL.”

The NFL also released a statement saying that it has reached out to Uber to request more information.

The Uber driver told BuzzFeed News the incident stems from a 2 a.m. ride after a party in Scottsdale, Arizona, onMarch 13, 2016. The driver said Winston was the only passenger, and that he sat in the front seat and was yelling homophobic slurs at pedestrians. She said he then asked the driver to stop for food, and while waiting in a drive-thru, reached over and placed his hand on her crotch.

A representative forWinston, Russ Spielman, issued a statement denying the allegations. He said the only reason Winston’s name is attached to the allegation is because his Uber account was used to call the ride.

“A news organization has published a story about me regarding an alleged incident involving a female Uber driver from approximately two years ago,” the quarterback wrote. “The story falsely accuses me of making inappropriate contact with this driver. I believe the driver was confused as to the number of passengers in the car and who was sitting next to her. The accusation is false, and given the nature of the allegation and increased awareness and consideration of these types of matters, I am addressing this false report immediately. At the time of the alleged incident, I denied the allegations to Uber, yet they still decided to suspend my account.

“I am supportive of the national movement to raise awareness and develop better responses to the concerns of parties who find themselves in these types of situations, but this accusation is false. While I am certain that I did not make any inappropriate contact, I don’t want to engage in a battle with the driver and I regret if my demeanor or presence made her uncomfortable in any way.”

Ravens activate Woodhead from IR

OWINGS MILLS, MD. » The Baltimore Ravens have activated running back Danny Woodhead fromthe injured reserve-designated for return list.

He is eligible to play in Sunday’s game against Green Bay.

Woodhead hasn’t played since suffering a hamstring injury during the opening drive of the season opener against Cincinnati.

The nine-year veteran accounted for 37 yards on that possession, and his return could enhance an offense that has struggled for much of the season.

Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco said: “I think you got a little taste of Danny the first week.”

Baltimore signed Woodhead as a free agent during the offseason, mostly because he provides the team with a quality target out of the backfield.

To make room for Woodhead on the 53-man roster, the Ravens on Saturday waived tight end Gavin Escobar.