Miami’s Merling back on field after arrest

Associated Press

MIAMI

Defensive end Phillip Merling of the Miami Dolphins was in practice on Friday, less than 24 hours being freed from jail following an aggravated battery charge against a pregnant woman.

He was arrested in Weston, Fla. on Wednesday, then released from Broward County Jail on Thursday afternoon after posting $15,000 bond. The court ordered him to have no direct or indirect contact with the woman, who is his girlfriend, along with other restrictions like banning him from possessing firearms while out on bond.

Court records show the woman is 2 months pregnant with the couple’s second child. Merling is the fourth Dolphins player to be arrested this offseason, something coach Tony Sparano called “frustrating.”

Bears

CHICAGO

Chicago signed Florida safety Major Wright to a four-year deal, putting their last unsigned draft pick under contract. The Bears selected Wright with their first overall pick, taking the 5-foot-11, 206-pound defender in the third round. He started three years for the Gators.

Seahawks

SEATTLE

Running back LenDale White was waived just weeks after the splashy draft-day trade that brought him from Tennessee. General manager John Schneider said Friday that “it became apparent at this time that LenDale was not ready to be a member of the Seattle Seahawks.” He did not elaborate. The former USC star was seemingly getting a second chance as a pro in Seattle, where he was to play for his former college coach, Pete Carroll. Issues with weight and the emergence of Chris Johnson cost him his job with the Titans. White had lost more than 45 pounds and was down to 220. Yet Schneider says White did not appear to be the right fit at this point for the team.

Texans

HOUSTON

Houston signed fifth-round draft pick Sherrick McManis. A cornerback, McManis was selected with the 144th overall pick in this year’s draft from Northwestern. He had 37 tackles and a team-high five interceptions last season for the Wildcats.

Chargers

SAN DIEGO

San Diego completed a three-day minicamp with a thumbs-up from coach Norv Turner. While Turner was upbeat, it was clear that the practices were conducted minus some key players — linebacker Shawne Merriman, left tackle Marcus McNeill and wide receivers Vincent Jackson and Malcom Floyd boycotted the sessions, upset over being tendered one-year contracts as restricted free agents.