Evidence is mounting that the Miami Dolphins will be getting reinforcements next week—and the biggest clue is a rarely used roster strategy
The Miami Dolphins appear to be on the verge of some reinforcements but the biggest clue is a rarity in the NFL.
The clues around reinforcements for the Miami Dolphins arriving are plentiful. You can look at the team’s injury report, head coach Jeff Hafley’s press conference, and more.
The Dolphins have multiple players who are eligible to return to action starting next week after Week 4 wraps up this Monday. Among them are cornerback Storm Duck, former first-round pick Kenneth Grant, and others. Duck spent this week practicing with Miami and even was listed as a full participant on the Friday injury report for Week 4. Jeff Hafley conceded that Grant could be back at practice next week during his Friday press conference, too.
But the biggest clue of Miami’s looming intentions is actually the one thing they haven’t done or said.
The Miami Dolphins ultimately will roll into this weekend with 52 players on their active roster
The Dolphins haven’t filled their last open roster spot. That’s right, they are rolling into the weekend with 52 players on their active roster. It’s not all that commonplace for an NFL team — typically 53-man roster spots are treated as a premium and teams thirst for every possible candidate to contribute on game day.
Perhaps the Dolphins will ultimately sign someone between now and Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings. But with the team traveling this weekend to Minneapolis, the logistics may end up just favoring the Dolphins keeping the 53rd and final roster spot vacant.
Signing someone to this spot is different than elevating a practice squad player, which the Dolphins sound destined to do in Week 4. Miami currently has just two running backs on the active roster. Head coach Jeff Hafley conceded that the team will use their elevations to add a third. But that still leaves a roster spot available and for the taking. Miami hasn’t found anyone worth giving it to — which would presumably mean someone is ready to come off of ice next week and take it.
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