Prosecutors drop charge against Cincinnati Bengals RB Joe Mixon, but refiling is possible

A Hamilton County (Ohio) judge dismissed a warrant for Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon, which had alleged he threatened a woman with a gun during a road rage incident Jan. 21.

Judge Curt Kissinger told The Enquirer he signed off on the dismissal but said the charge "could possibly" be refiled. Kissenger said a city prosecutor has spoken with the woman who filed the complaint and she was in agreement with the dismissal.

Kissinger was assigned the case and said prosecutors Friday morning asked to dismiss the charge. City officials are expected to release a statement Friday afternoon.

Cincinnati police issued a warrant on a charge of aggravated menacing for Mixon on Thursday, which quickly became national news. Mixon was accused of pointing a gun at a woman and saying, “you should be popped in the face and I should shoot you.” But there were few other details about what happened in court records.

Mixon, 26, just finished his sixth season with the Bengals and is a two-time team captain. Cincinnati gave Mixon a four-year contract extension worth $48 million in September of 2020. His contract runs through the 2024 season with the Bengals. He's coming off of a down year after being named to the Pro Bowl in 2021. He rushed for 814 yards and seven touchdowns in the 2022 season.

Mixon’s agent, Peter Schaffer, issued a statement Thursday night saying, “It was a rush to judgment. They’re dropping the charges first thing in the morning. I really feel that police have an obligation before they file charges – because of the damage that can be done to the person’s reputation – to do their work. They should be held to a higher standard.”

Court records written by police officer Jeffrey Ruberg didn’t say what time the incident happened, but the Bengals and Mixon left on Jan. 21 for Buffalo for the Bengals divisional round playoff game against the Bills the following day. Mixon played one of his best games of the season in Buffalo rushing for over 100 yards and scored two touchdowns in the win to advance to the AFC championship game.

Prior to the allegation, Mixon's future in Cincinnati was uncertain. There's a possibility the Bengals could move on from him for salary cap reasons. If the Bengals were to cut him before June 1, the team would save $7.2 million. If the team decided to cut him after, it would save $10 million.

This story will be updated.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Joe Mixon, Bengals RB, has charge dropped by prosecutors