Jaguars DE Dante Fowler Arrested on Battery Charges

Jaguars defensive end Dante Fowler faces battery charges after being arrested Tuesday night

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Dante Fowler was arrested Tuesday night on misdemeanor charges of simple battery and criminal mischief, according to records from the Pinellas County, Florida Sheriff's Department.

Fowler was arrested by St. Petersburg Police at 9:02 p.m. Tuesday, and was released at 1:43 a.m. from custody Wednesday morning on a $650 bond.

A police spokesperson said Fowler was driving through an apartment complex in St. Petersburg, Fla. “when a man walking in the complex made a comment about Fowler's driving.”

Fowler then got out of the vehicle, had words with the man and hit him, knocking off glasses and then stepped on them.

“He then took the victim's grocery bag, with recently purchased liquor, and threw it in a lake,” the spokesperson said.

"The Jaguars are aware of the situation involving defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. and are currently gathering more information. The team has been in communication with Dante. No further comment will be made at this time," the team said in a statement. 

The 22-year-old Fowler was selected in the first round by Tampa Bay in 2015 and missed his entire rookie season with a knee injury.

In 2016, he had played in all 16 regular season games, recording 32 tackles and four sacks for Jacksonville.

The Jaguars are scheduled to report to training camp next week.