Miami Dolphins Cut Running Back Mark Walton Following 4th Arrest

MIAMI, FL — The Miami Dolphins cut Mark Walton Tuesday after the running back was arrested earlier in the day for allegedly assaulting his pregnant girlfriend.

Walton was charged by Davie, Florida police with aggravated battery on a pregnant person.

Court documents said Walton and his girlfriend got into an argument around 4:15 a.m. Tuesday.

Walton allegedly pushed his girlfriend against a wall and "punched her several times in the face and head," the documents said.

Court documents said Walton's girlfriend suffered swelling to her left eye. They said she is five weeks pregnant.

"Walton is the father and he was made aware of the pregnancy on 11/17," two days before the incident, according to court documents.

The Associated Press reported that the The second-year player had already served two games of a four-game suspension for violating NFL conduct and substance abuse policies following three other arrests in the off season.

The documents did not list a place of employment for Walton.

The Dolphins announced that the team waived Walton.

"We were made aware of a police matter earlier this morning regarding Mark Walton," said General Manager Chris Grier. "We hold our players to a high standard and take these matters very seriously."

The Dolphins signed Walton in May, one month after the Cincinnati Bengals released him because of the earlier arrests.

“I think people deserve a second chance,” Dolphins coach Brian Flores said at the time. “I don’t want to judge people based on one incident, two incidents.”

The Bengals drafted Walton in the fourth round of the 2017 draft out of Miami. As a high schooler, Walton starred at Miami powerhouse Booker T. Washington.

A Florida court sentenced Walton in August to six months’ probation after pleading no contest to a misdemeanor weapons charge. Other charges, including marijuana possession and reckless driving, were dismissed.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.