8:48 AM PT -- This is important ... officials tell TMZ Sports the accuser had a change of heart and stopped cooperating with prosecutors.
"The victim said she did not want to proceed with prosecution. She signed an affidavit of non-prosecution," a spokesperson for the State Attorney's Office tells us.
"She also stated that it was a 'situation that got out of hand' and she has no fear of the defendant and no fear for her safety."
"There were no other witnesses to the incident and our prosecutors said they were unable to proceed without testimony from the alleged victim."
Miami Dolphins star cornerback Xavien Howard is off the hook in his domestic violence case ... TMZ Sports has learned his battery charge was dropped Thursday.
Howard's attorney, Michael C. Grieco, says it was announced at a short hearing in a Broward County courtroom that the case against the NFL player has been dismissed.
It's huge news for the 26-year-old, who was facing jail time after his fiancee alleged he roughed her up after an argument at their Davie, Fla. home on Dec. 29.
In the police report, obtained by TMZ Sports, the woman says Howard grabbed her, pushed her against a mirrored wall, and when he let her go, she fell on one of his crutches.
Cops say in the report they noticed visible scratches, redness and an abrasion on the woman's body ... and arrested the 6-foot-1, 200-pound cornerback.
What's worse ... in 911 audio from the incident, the woman -- who has three children with Howard -- insinuated the NFL player had repeatedly abused her in the past.
It's unclear what prompted the state attorney's office to not pursue charges this week ... we're working on it.
Howard -- who made the Pro Bowl in 2018 -- is still subject to NFL discipline under the league's personal conduct policy.
Originally Published -- 7:25 AM PT