An assault charge stemming from a February 5 bar incident against Bengals MLB Rey Maualuga was thrown out in a Hamilton County court Thursday.

The case was settled in mediation. Maualuga could still face discipline from the NFL, but it certainly won't be nearly as harsh as it might've been had he been convicted. Maulauga, 25, is entering the final season of his rookie contract. He finished last year with 88 tackles and three fumbles forced.

Bengals MLB Rey Maualuga pleaded not guilty Friday to assault charges stemming from a February 5 bar incident.

The charge is a misdemeanor. Maualuga was accused of punching a bar employee in the face, perhaps accidentally, during a brawl. If found guilty, he'll be a repeat offender of the NFL conduct policy and subject to suspension.

Cincinnati police have officially charged Bengals MLB Rey Maualuga with misdemeanor assault stemming from last weekend's bar fight.

Contacted Friday by the Associated Press, the Bengals had no comment. Maualuga allegedly struck a bar manager while fighting another man in the night club, perhaps accidentally. Either way, the citation will be frowned upon by the league after Maualuga's 2010 DUI arrest. The NFL had to fine Maualuga two game checks and strip part of his signing bonus two years ago.

The manager of a downtown Cincinnati bar alleges that he was punched by Bengals MLB Rey Maualuga during a fight last weekend.

Reading between the lines, it sounds like the manager was bunched while breaking up a bar fight involving Maualuga. Police are still investigating the incident, and Maualuga has not yet been charged for his actions.

Bengals MLB Rey Maualuga is expected to undergo post-season ankle surgery.

Maualuga ended up sitting out four weeks with a severe ankle sprain in mid-October. Although he played out the season, Malaluga's already questionable mobility took a hit in December and January.

Bengals MLB Rey Maualuga (ankle) returned to the lineup in last Sunday's loss to the Steelers.

Maualuga tallied four tackles in his return. Coach Marvin Lewis said he expects a better performance out of his middle 'backer this week after getting some full practices under his belt.

Bengals MLB Rey Maualuga (ankle) is expected back at practice Wednesday.

Maualuga has been out since Week 5 due to a high-ankle sprain. The Bengals have gone 3-0 with Dan Skuta manning the middle. However, they'll need their most talented linebacker for Sunday's divisional showdown with the Steelers. Punt returner Pacman Jones (hamstring) is also expected to practice Wednesday.

Bengals MLB Rey Maualuga (ankle) said his best-case scenario is a return in Week 9.

Maualuga hasn't played since Week 5, meaning he almost certainly suffered a high-ankle sprain. Dan Skuta, who had five tackles in Week 6, will draw the start once again.

An MRI on MLB Rey Maualuga's ankle showed a lateral sprain.

It's good news. There is no fracture and a lateral sprain is not nearly as severe as a high-ankle sprain. Maualuga is considered week to week, with Dan Skuta filling in if the starter isn't ready after the Bengals' Week 7 bye.

Bengals MLB Rey Maualuga was spotted Monday with a cast on his injured ankle.

According to the Cincinnati Enquirer's Joe Reedy, it "looks like (Maualuga) is going to be out awhile." This jibes with comments from coach Marvin Lewis, who said Friday Maualuga will likely be sidelined a "couple weeks." Dan Skuta started in Maualuga's place against the Colts Sunday, notching only five tackles (three solo). Cincinnati is on bye in Week 7.

Bengals MLB Rey Maualuga (ankle) has been ruled out for Week 6 against the Colts.

Rey Maualuga is locked in as the Bengals' starting middle linebacker.

Free agent Dhani Jones is not coming back, so Maualuga has the job all to himself. After playing the strong-side spot for the last two years, it's a vote of confidence for the 2009 No. 38 overall pick. Maualuga is a threat for 120-plus tackles.

Rey Maualuga is handling play-calls as the middle linebacker in player-organized workouts this week.

Globe-trotting free agent Dhani Jones has been absent from workouts, but the 33-year-old reiterated Tuesday that he'd like to re-sign with Cincinnati. Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer called Maualuga "extremely average" and "undisciplined" last season, so there's a chance Jones will be brought back on a short-term deal.

LB Rey Maualuga is responding positively to DC Mike Zimmer's recent criticism.

Zimmer recently said Maualuga was "extremely average" in 2010. He is taking it as motivation to step up. "I think it's a good thing he said that and then again why did he single me out. I don't know?" Maualuga said. "I'm not satisfied with how I performed." Maualuga was actually better statistically last season than he was as a rookie, but the Bengals were expecting more. He should put up gaudier numbers in 2011 if he moves to MLB, as expected.

Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer was not impressed with Rey Maualuga's second NFL season.

"He sure has to play a hell of a lot better than he did this year because he was extremely average," Zimmer said. "He's undisciplined." Maualuga is tentatively expected to move from strong-side linebacker to the middle in 2011, but he's clearly got a ways to go before earning Zimmer's trust.

Coach Marvin Lewis confirmed Friday that the Bengals will move Rey Maualuga to middle linebacker if Dhani Jones leaves in free agency.

There was some thought that Roddrick Muckelroy would be the new middle man, but Maualuga has been prepped for the gig since being drafted 38th overall in 2009. Whether he would be an every-down player remains to be seen, but Maualuga should be a shoo-in for 100 tackles at the new position. Keith Rivers would stay at weak side, with Brandon Johnson probably on the strong side.

Bengals LB Rey Maualuga will escape suspension for his January DUI.

Maualgua will be fined two game checks, but he won't miss any action. The incident served as a wake-up call for the second-year linebacker, forcing him to check into rehab. Maualuga has since given up drinking and turned his lifestyle around.

Bengals LB Rey Maualuga (leg/hamstring) has been cleared to resume practicing.

Maualuga came down with an early-camp hamstring injury toward the tail end of his recovery from a minor procedure to remove a callus from his leg. Now healthy, he's expected to push Dhani Johnes for the starting middle linebacker job while pass rusher Michael Johnson steps in on the strong side.

SI.com's Peter King suggests "this will be the year" that Ray Maualuga supplants Dhani Jones as the Bengals' starting middle linebacker.

King spent 70 minutes talking to coach Marvin Lewis at training camp Thursday, so he's likely to have the information on good authority. Jones is expected to keep his roster spot as a team leader, but "there is a lot of sentiment" that Maualuga is ready. The move will have a domino effect, with pass rusher Michael Johnson entering the starting lineup on the strong side. Maualuga's IDP value will skyrocket.

Bengals SLB Rey Maualuga will be sidelined until training camp after undergoing a minor procedure to remove a callus that formed when his broken fibula healed.

Maualuga said the pain was giving him trouble when he was walking, so he opted to get the surgery done in time to be back for July. His rehab is expected to last a maximum of four weeks, so he'll be fine for training camp.