NFL Will Not Suspend Dolphins DB Xavien Howard Over Domestic Battery Charge

The NFL will not suspend Miami Dolphins defensive back Xavien Howard for his role in a domestic battery incident, according to Palm Beach Post reporter Hal Habib. While it was unclear if Howard would receive any punishment after the charges were dropped, it now appears that Miami will have its star corner for the full 2020 season.

The initial domestic battery charge arose from a December 2019 dispute between Howard and his fiance. However, the charges were eventually dropped in February by the state attorney's office, and the league finally decided Wednesday that it would take no action against Howard under its personal conduct policy.

Howard figures to be a crucial piece of the Dolphins' revitalized defense in 2020. With free agent additions Byron Jones, Kyle Van Noy, Emmanuel Ogbah, and Shaq Lawson entering the fold along with rookie first-rounder Noah Igbinoghene, Howard has a chance to lead a much-improved unit in 2020.

The Dolphins kept Howard around in 2019 despite the fact that they chose to cut ties with other homegrown talents like Laremy Tunsil and Minkah Fitzpatrick, signaling that the veteran corner was in their rebuilding plans. Now, Howard joins Jones in the league's most expensive cornerback duo, and the Dolphins hope to boast an elite secondary in 2020 as a result.

Howard and Jones have both received positive grades from Pro Football Focus in the past, and look to be one of the league's best pass coverage pairings heading into the new season.

The Dolphins should therefore breathe a sigh of relief that the league decided against a lengthy suspension. Early-season matchups with Julian Edelman and the Patriots and the newly-acquired Stefon Diggs and the Bills could have spelled disaster without Howard's services.