Kalvin Pearson, left, led the Buccaneers with 21 special teams tackles last year. (Scott Audette/Associated Press)Detroit Lions free safety Kalvin Pearson has avoided charges of domestic violence in Tampa, Fla.
Pearson, 29, was charged April 8 with two felonies — aggravated battery on a pregnant woman an domestic battery by strangulaton.
But he was told Monday by the Hillsborough County state attorney's office that both felony charges had been dropped.
Pearson will still be arraigned Sept. 8 on a misdemeanour charge of opposing a police officer without force.
According to the arrest affidavit, Pearson's girlfriend, pregnant with his child, was allegedly seated in a Chevy Trailblazer when he grabbed her by the hair and neck and began to choke her.
A struggle allegedly ensued, and Pearson fled the scene before being apprehended by the authorities.
He was booked and released on $500 US bond.
Pearson has posted 54 tackles and recovered one fumble in 51 games over four NFL seasons with the Cleveland Browns and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
He led the Buccaneers with 21 special teams tackles in 16 games last season.
Pearson, a restricted free agent, inked a three-year, $3.5 million US offer sheet with the Lions, which the Buccaneers elected not to match.
With files from the Associated Press
