Miami Dolphins defensive end Phillip Merling was arrested last night after a domestic dispute with his pregnant girlfriend, Omar Kelly of the Sun-Sentinel reports.

Details of the incident are currently unknown.

Merling, the 32nd overall pick (2nd round) of the 2007 NFL Draft out of Clemson, has started four of 32 games for the Dolphins over the last two seasons. The 6-4, 295-pound Merling has been credited with 59 tackles and 3.5 quarterback sacks, and had a 25-yard interception return for a touchdown during his rookie campaign.

Earlier this week, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reported that Merling was working with the first-team defensive line.

"This is a big year for me," Merling told Jackson last week. "I was not pleased with last year, not even a little bit. I feel like I'm a rookie this year, trying to prove myself. It's time for me to start contributing like coaches want me to. My coaches and teammates want me to get better, and I don't want to let them down."

Merling is the fourth Dolphins player to be arrested this off-season, and the second to have done so after a domestic incident with a girlfriend. Fellow defensive lineman Tony McDaniel was the first. Defensive back Will Allen and running back Ronnie Brown were arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.