DAVIE - Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Tony McDaniel appeared in a Broward County courtroom Sunday morning, charged with domestic violence, according to police and court records.

McDaniel, 25, and his girlfriend, Alaina Smith, got into a shoving match outside their Davie home Saturday morning. They were arguing over unanswered phone calls and a late night of partying, according to McDaniel's arrest report.

The fight happened about 8:30 a.m. Saturday in the 3100 block of Palm Tree Landings.

Smith told investigators she had just returned from buying breakfast for houseguests when McDaniel confronted her about not answering her phone when he called. He had just returned from a night out with friends, the report said.

He grabbed her purse and pushed her to the pavement, where she hit her head as they struggled over the bag, the report said. She ran into the house, told their guests to call 911 and, according to the report, ran back outside, where he threw her phone to the ground, shattering it.

Police said Smith refused medical treatment and officers didn't see any head injuries, though there were scratches on her fingers.

McDaniel gave police a different version. He said Smith, who was mad about his arrival home in the early morning, attacked him, slapping and scratching. He used his forearms to block her and stop the attack, according to the report, which also said he had scratches on his fingers and hands.

The houseguests told police they witnessed the couple arguing, and McDaniel throwing Smith aside, grabbing her phone and smashing it.

Davie police arrested McDaniel on a misdemeanor battery charge. He was released from the Broward County jail at 10 a.m. Sunday on $3,500 bond.

McDaniel, who just finished his fourth NFL season with the Dolphins, was acquired by the team as a seventh-round pick last off-season in a trade with Jacksonville. The former Tennessee standout had spent his first three seasons with Jacksonville. He contributed 16 tackles and 1.5 sacks as the primary backup at nose tackle.

While a student at Tennessee, McDaniel was charged with aggravated assault, a felony, in 2005, The charge followed an incident in which he punched a man's face, breaking four bones, during a pickup basketball game.

McDaniel pleaded guilty to a lesser charge, misdemeanor assault, paid the victim an undisclosed amount to settle a lawsuit, and was placed under supervised probation.

Staff Writer Omar Kelly contributed to this report.