Florida prosecutors dismissed domestic violence charges against Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard on Thursday.
Howard, 26, was arrested in Broward County in December after an alleged incident with his fiancée, with whom he has three children.
The State Attorney’s office dropped the case after the woman said she didn’t want to proceed with the prosecution. According to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, she told prosecutors that the situation “got out of hand” and she has no fear for her safety regarding Howard.
There were no other witnesses and prosecutors said they couldn’t move forward without her testimony.
Howard was charged on Dec. 29 with one count of domestic battery. According to a police report, an argument between the two parties became physical when Howard allegedly grabbed both of her arms and pushed her against a mirrored wall at their home. She fell and landed on his crutches, and police observed scratches and redness on her right arm, per the report.
Howard played only five games this season before landing on injured reserve in October with a knee injury.
The 2016 second-round pick made the Pro Bowl on 2018 after leading the NFL with seven interceptions.
Howard signed a five-year, $75.25 million contract with the Dolphins in May and is under contract through the 2024 season.
He had 17 tackles and one interception in 2019, raising his career totals to 140 tackles with 12 picks and 35 passes defended in 40 games (39 starts).
—Field Level Media