Dolphins’ intriguing rookie sees his 2025 rookie season ended before it ever actually began

One of Miami’s intriguing rookies from this spring was placed on season-ending injured reserve.

Kyle Crabbs — NFL National Writer
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Amid the exit of tight end Jonnu Smith from the Miami Dolphins‘ tight end room, the group has been something of a wide open competition for opportunities thus far this summer. Last year’s in-line option, Julian Hill, has been battling with veteran free agent Pharaoh Brown and fellow former undrafted free agent standout Tanner Conner for the bulk of the opportunities.

As that battle has unfolded, former standout Darren Waller has been working his way back into football shape in the background amid a return from retirement. He’s currently on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.

Miami’s tight end room saw someone’s season end on Monday — although it was none of the primary contenders for snaps. Undrafted rookie Jalin Conyers was placed on injured reserve.

Dolphins sign free agent TE Chris Myarick, place TE Jalin Conyers on injured reserve

Conyers was considered by some to be a dark horse candidate to make Miami’s 53-man roster in 2025. Tight end has been a position in which the team has welcomed developmental projects in years past, including Julian Hill in 2023 and Tanner Conner in 2022. The road for Conyers this summer has come to an end, although the Dolphins do retain him on injured reserve for the season and have the chance to stash and carry him into next offseason with this move.

The details of Conyers’ injury are uncertain, but being placed on the injured reserve list prior to the 53-man cutdown window means that there is no opportunity for a return this season barring an injury settlement.

For the Dolphins, they may have more of an interest in stashing Conyers on the injured reserve this season, letting him get healthy, and then allowing him to make another run at the roster next season after spending a year in the building and rehabbing whatever currently ails him.

Despite the buzz around his name during the NFL Draft process and fallout, it was a quiet start to camp for Conyers. He struggled to find his footing in the early chapters of training camp. In his place, the Dolphins signed veteran tight end Chris Myarick, who has not logged snaps in the NFL since the 2022 season and should be considered a long shot to make the 53-man roster. The injury does open the door for names such as Myarick to impress, although another contender to watch is 2024 undrafted rookie Hayden Rucci.

Rucci is a physical in-line blocker who flashed last year in the preseason. Can he take another step? Or will Miami’s tight end room be destined to be comprised of established NFL players such as Brown, Hill, Waller, and Conner — all of whom currently boast questionable ceilings and/or floors?

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