Free-agent RB Chris Johnson pleads not guilty to misdemeanor battery charges

Free-agent running back Chris Johnson entered a plea of not guilty on Thursday to charges of misdemeanor battery from an incident at a nightclub in April, according to WFTS Tampa Bay.

A Tampa Police Department report against Johnson claims he assaulted a valet at The Lodge nightclub in Tampa, Fla.

The altercation started over some keys and resulted in the victim, Matthew McNeel, suffering a bloody nose and a cut lip just before 1 am on April 9.

Security cameras captured footage of the incident, while Johnson was also identified by the owner of the club, a friend of his, and picked out of a photo lineup by the victim.

Johnson rushed for 114 yards on 45 carries and added another 43 yards as receiver in four games for the Arizona Cardinals last season.

- With h/t to Pro Football Talk

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