By Staff and Wire Reports

Published: Friday, January 11, 2013, 10:50 a.m.
Updated: Friday, February 1, 2013

Former Steelers running back Chris Rainey's girlfriend says she was not assaulted and that the state of Florida should drop the battery charge against him.

That's according to Rainey's lawyer, Huntley Johnson, who read an email from the woman during a bond hearing Friday.

Gainesville, Fla., police charged Rainey with simple battery Thursday after an alleged altercation with his girlfriend. Police say the two were arguing over Rainey's cell phone and that when his girlfriend got into a vehicle, the ex-Florida Gator tried to pull her out. Witnesses told detectives Rainey slapped his girlfriend across the face, then chased her when she ran away with his phone.

The girlfriend's email said witnesses were mistaken, and Johnson pointed out that officers found no marks on the woman's face.

Rainey, who was cut by the Steelers after his arrest, was released after the hearing but ordered not to have any contact with his girlfriend.

2 signed to future contracts

Danny Hrapmann, the former Southern Miss kicker who made all six of his field-goal attempts during the 2012 preseason, and tight end Zack Pianalto signed reserve/future contracts with the Steelers.

Hrapmann was cut Aug. 27 and didn't land with any other NFL team. He was 26 of 31, with a longest kick of 54 yards during his final season at Southern Miss in 2011.

Pianalto was released by Tampa Bay during the final preseason roster cutdown last summer. He played in 13 games for the Bucs in 2011, making four catches for 40 yards. He originally signed with the Bills as an undrafted free agent from North Carolina in 2011.

The Steelers have 10 players signed to reserve/future contracts, which allow players to take part in offseason team activities.

Staff writer Alan Robinson contributed.

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