Eagles Safety Nate Allen -- Cleared in Public Masturbation Case ... Saved by Red Lobster

Philadelphia Eagles player Nate Allen was wrongly accused of driving around while pleasuring himself, and FL prosecutors have cleared his name -- partly due to a well-timed Red Lobster dinner.

Allen was detained last week in Fort Myers after a 16-year-old girl called 911 to report seeing a man driving a black truck with the windows down and masturbating. An officer responded to the area, saw Allen in a black Ford pick-up, and arrested him.

But the State Attorney's Office announced today that further investigation revealed Allen's truck was NOT the one the girl reported seeing.

Also, Allen was having dinner at a Red Lobster at the time the girl called 911. Prosecutors confirmed this from the time stamp on his bill ... and a photo he took with an employee. Great time for some cheddar biscuits!

State Attorney's Office spokesperson Samantha Syoen tells TMZ ... prosecutors thanked Nate for his patience and for cooperating with investigators.