Dolphins Add Damon Arnette To Practice Squad
The Dolphins have signed Damon Arnette to a practice squad deal (Twitter link via David Furones of the Sun Sentinel). This marks the cornerback’s first deal since he was cut by the Raiders earlier this year. 
Shortly after the tragedy involving Henry Ruggs, a video surfaced showing Arnette issuing threats and brandishing a handgun. The Raiders moved quickly to release the 2020 first-rounder, who was also in the midst of multiple lawsuits, including one for a car crash of his own.
Arnette made his name at Ohio State, flashing potential opposite of Jeff Okudah. With the ability to play on the inside or the outside, the Raiders were high on his upside. Unfortunately, his potential has been torpedoed by his off-the-field problems.
Arnette started in seven of his nine games as a rookie, collecting 25 tackles along the way. This year, he appeared in the Raiders’ first four games, but didn’t top 30% of the snaps in any of those contests.
While Arnette joins the 16-man practice squad, the rest of the team will prepare to face the Jets on Sunday. A win would give them six straight, a 7-7 record on the year, and at least a glimmer of hope in the Wild Card race.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/15/21
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Designated for return: TE David Wells
Buffalo Bills
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: LB A.J. Klein
Cleveland Browns
- Promoted: WR Ja’Marcus Bradley
- Claimed: DT Josiah Bronson (from Saints)
Dallas Cowboys
- Promoted: CB Deante Burton
Green Bay Packers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: QB Jordan Love
Indianapolis Colts
- Promoted: DT Malik Jefferson
Miami Dolphins
- Claimed: LB Calvin Munson (from Patriots)
- Designated for return: RB Malcolm Brown
New England Patriots
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: G Yasir Durant
New Orleans Saints
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: WR/RB Ty Montgomery
- Designated for return: TE Adam Trautman
Philadelphia Eagles
- Designated for return: G Jack Anderson
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Placed on IR: OL B.J. Finney
- Promoted: OT Joe Haeg
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted: LB Tanner Muse
- Placed on IR: CB Gavin Heslop
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/14/21
Today’s minor moves:
Detroit Lions
- Claimed off waivers (from 49ers): CB Saivion Smith
Green Bay Packers
- Promoted: WR Juwann Winfree
Las Vegas Raiders
- Activated off reserve/COVID-19 list: RB Jalen Richard
- Designated for return: TE Nick Bowers
Miami Dolphins
- Waived: C Austin Reiter
Minnesota Vikings
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DE Danielle Hunter
New England Patriots
- Activated off reserve/NFI list: S Joshuah Bledsoe
- Placed on injured reserve: G Alex Redmond
- Waived: LB Calvin Munson
Washington Football Team
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Kendall Fuller, DT Tim Settle
Dolphins Worked Out RB Lamar Miller
The Dolphins considered a reunion with one of their former players today. Per Aaron Wilson (on Twitter), the team worked out running back Lamar Miller today. The team also took a look at RBs Benny LeMay, Jordan Scarlett, and Dexter Williams, who ultimately signed with the Dolphins practice squad. Miami also promoted RB Duke Johnson to the active roster and released wideout Travis Fulgham from the practice squad.
Miller was a second-round pick by the Dolphins back in 2012, and he ended up spending the first four seasons of his career in Miami. Miller ultimately saw time in 61 games (48 starts) during his time with the Dolphins, including a career year in 2014 when he collected 1,374 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns. The 30-year-old has bounced around the NFL recently, including a stint on the Saints practice squad earlier this season.
Instead of adding Miller to their depth chart, the Dolphins decided to pivot to Williams. Williams was a sixth-round pick by the Packers back in 2019, and he ended up spending two seasons in Green Bay, collecting 19 yards from scrimmage in seven games. The 24-year-old has spent much of the 2021 campaign on the Giants and Browns practice squads.
Miami’s running backs depth chart is shaky heading into Week 15. Myles Gaskin, Phillip Lindsay, and Salvon Ahmed are all on the reserve/COVID-19 list, leading to Johnson’s promotion. Williams will join a taxi squad that already includes RB Gerrid Doaks. The team also has Patrick Laird and Malcolm Brown on the IR, and there’s a chance Brown could return before the end of the season.
Dolphins’ Phillip Lindsay Tests Positive For COVID-19
Dolphins running back Phillip Lindsay has tested positive for COVID-19 (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero). That completes an unfortunate hat trick for Miami as all three of their running backs — Lindsay, Myles Gaskin, and Salvon Ahmed — have tested positive in advance of Sunday’s game against the Jets. 
All three players are vaccinated, according to Pelissero, giving them a chance to suit up on Sunday pending additional tests. If they’re unable to play, the Dolphins will likely turn to practice squad RBs Duke Johnson and Gerrid Doaks.
The Dolphins are still fighting for a playoff berth, albeit with slim odds. Stationed at 6-7, the Dolphins currently have a 10% chance at sneaking into a Wild Card spot, according to the stats at Five Thirty Eight. A win over the Jets would keep the ‘Fins afloat — a loss would effectively rule them out of the postseason.
Lindsay, 27, hooked on with the Dolphins earlier this month after being released by the Texans. In his Week 12 debut against the Panthers, the veteran ran for 42 yards off of 12 carries. Gaskin finished with more yards in a less efficient performance — 49 yards off of 16 totes.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/11/21
Here is how teams finalized their Week 14 rosters:
Atlanta Falcons
- Activated from IR: TE Hayden Hurst
- Promoted: RB Qadree Ollison, S Shawn Williams
- Waived: RB Wayne Gallman
Baltimore Ravens
- Promoted: CB Robert Jackson, T David Sharpe
Buffalo Bills
- Activated from IR: G Jon Feliciano
- Promoted: DE Eli Ankou, DT Brandin Bryant, LB Joe Giles-Harris
Carolina Panthers
- Activated from IR: T Cameron Erving
- Promoted: RB Reggie Bonnafon, LB Frankie Luvu, OL Patrick Omameh
Chicago Bears
- Promoted: LB Charles Snowden
Cincinnati Bengals
- Promoted: LB Austin Calitro, LB Keandre Jones
Cleveland Browns
- Activated from IR: LB Jacob Phillips
- Promoted: DB Herb Miller, DB Jovante Moffatt, WR JoJo Natson
- Waived: WR Ja’Marcus Bradley
Dallas Cowboys
- Promoted: TE Ian Bunting, RB JaQuan Hardy, S Darian Thompson
- Waived: DT Justin Hamilton
Denver Broncos
- Activated from IR: LB Micah Kiser, CB Michael Ojemudia
Detroit Lions
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Mark Gilbert, CB Ifeatu Melifonwu
- Promoted: CB Corey Ballentine, LB Curtis Bolton, DE Bruce Hector, CB Parnell Motley, RB Craig Reynolds, CB Nickell Robey-Coleman, RB Rodney Smith, TE Shane Zylstra
Houston Texans
- Promoted: DB Grayland Arnold, WR Phillip Dorsett, DL Chris Smith
Kansas City Chiefs
- Promoted: DB Dicaprio Bootle, DB Josh Jackson
- Placed on IR: DB Chris Lammons
Los Angeles Chargers
- Placed on IR: LB Kyler Fackrell
- Promoted: DB Ben DeLuca, LB Emeke Egbule, WR Jason Moore
Miami Dolphins
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: RB Salvon Ahmed
New Orleans Saints
- Activated from IR: DB Chauncey Gardner-Johnson
- Promoted: G James Carpenter, LB Chase Hansen, WR Kevin White, WR Easop Winston, TE Ethan Wolf
New York Giants
- Promoted: WR Pharoh Cooper, DB Jarren Williams
New York Jets
- Activated from IR: CB Brandin Echols
- Promoted: DE Ronald Blair, TE Dan Brown, WR D.J. Montgomery, WR Vyncint Smith
San Francisco 49ers
- Placed on IR: RB Trenton Cannon, CB Emmanuel Moseley
- Promoted: WR River Cracraft, RB Brian Hill, CB Saivion Smith, S Jarrod Wilson
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted: LB Edmond Robinson
Tennessee Titans
- Activated from IR: S Dane Cruikshank, WR Racey McMath
- Placed on IR: TE Tommy Hudson; this is Hudson’s second IR trip, ending his season
- Promoted: WR Cody Hollister, DL Kevin Strong
- Waived: S Brady Breeze
Washington Football Team
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Darryl Roberts, DE James Smith-Williams
- Placed on IR: G Wes Schweitzer
- Promoted: DE William Bradley-King, LB De’Jon Harris, S Jeremy Reaves, C Jon Toth
NFL Teams Showing Interest In Jim Harbaugh?
After guiding his alma mater to a berth in the College Football Playoffs, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh is riding high right now. However, ESPN’s Dan Graziano cautions that the HC still has plenty of suitors in the NFL if he wishes to return to professional football. According to the reporter, “there are whispers of NFL teams showing interest” in Harbaugh.
Harbaugh established himself as an elite coach when he was in San Francisco. Between 2011 and 2013, the 49ers had 36 regular season games, made a Super Bowl, and lost a pair of NFC Championship Games. However, San Francisco went only 8-8 in 2014, and thanks in part to power struggles with GM Trent Baalke, Harbaugh and the organization agreed to mutually part ways.
It didn’t take long for the coach to find his next gig. Harbaugh was soon hired by Michigan to be their head coach. The team had their ups and downs through Harbaugh’s first six seasons with the school, but he helped return the Wolverines to glory in 2021. The team finished 12-1 and won their first Big Ten title in 17 years, with Harbaugh being named The Associated Press college football coach of the year.
Thanks to this recent success, it seems that Harbaugh will be sticking around Michigan for the foreseeable future. However, Graziano opines that NFL teams would happily lure the HC back to the league. Specifically, the writer points to the Raiders as a potential suitor. Mark Davis is still reeling from the ousting of Jon Gruden, and Graziano opines that Las Vegas would be the organization to think most “outside-the-box” when it comes to hiring a replacement. Plus, per the reporter, Davis and Harbaugh “have a friendship that dates back a ways.” The Dolphins and owner Stephen Ross (who is from Michigan) have also been connected to Harbaugh throughout the years, but Graziano wonders if Brian Flores (along with GM Chris Grier) have bought themselves some time as the Dolphins have worked their way back into playoff contention.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/10/21
Here are Friday’s minor moves:
Denver Broncos
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: RB Mike Boone, S P.J. Locke
Detroit Lions
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: S Tracy Walker, RB Jamaal Williams
Green Bay Packers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: LB De’Vondre Campbell
Kansas City Chiefs
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Joe Fortson
Miami Dolphins
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: RB Myles Gaskin
New York Jets
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Jeff Smith
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted: CB Gavin Heslop
- Placed on IR: S Jamal Adams (story)
Washington Football Team
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Khaleke Hudson
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/8/21
Today’s minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Placed on IR: CB Marlon Humphrey (story)
- Designated for return: OT Ja’Wuan James
Cincinnati Bengals
- Designated for return: G D’Ante Smith, CB Trae Waynes
Denver Broncos
- Designated for return: CB Bryce Callahan
Las Vegas Raiders
- Placed on IR: RB Kenyan Drake (story), LB Nick Kwiatkoski
- Designated for return: S Tyree Gillespie, DT Darius Philon
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: RB Mekhi Sargent
Miami Dolphins
- Placed on IR: RB Patrick Laird
New Orleans Saints
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: RB Mark Ingram
- Designated for return: S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson
New York Jets
- Activated off reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Keelan Cole
Washington Football Team
- Signed (off Giants practice squad): RB Jonathan Williams
Dolphins Activate WR DeVante Parker From IR
Down two of his top three wide receivers for the past several games, Tua Tagovailoa will see one of those weapons return to the field Sunday. DeVante Parker will make his return to the Dolphins’ active roster, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
Miami had placed the seventh-year wideout on IR in early November, with a hamstring injury sidelining him. Parker missed time earlier this season as well and has been limited to just five games this year.
The Dolphins signed Will Fuller and drafted Jaylen Waddle to team with Parker this year. That trio has not seen much time together. Fuller remains on Miami’s IR list, having played just two games as a Dolphin. He was last seen in uniform in Week 4, leaving Waddle as Tagovailoa and Jacoby Brissett‘s top receiver.
Parker’s belated breakout in 2019 — a 1,202-yard season — earned him a contract extension. That deal runs through 2023. Although the Dolphins resisted trade overtures and held onto Parker ahead of the deadline, his 2022 status with the team may be in question. A strong finish from the veteran pass catcher would certainly help solidify his beyond-2021 status in Miami.
The Dolphins also activated offensive lineman Michael Deiter from their injured list. Miami’s starting center to open the season, Deiter has not played since Week 3. Foot and quad injuries sent the third-year blocker to IR.
