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.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/27/21
Here is how teams finalized their Week 12 rosters:
Atlanta Falcons
- Promoted: LB Dorian Etheridge
Baltimore Ravens
- Activated from IR: LB Malik Harrison
- Placed on IR: S Ar’Darius Washington
- Promoted: DT Isaiah Mack, CB Kevon Seymour
Carolina Panthers
- Promoted: WR Matt Cole, OL Austen Pleasants
Cincinnati Bengals
- Promoted: TE Thaddeus Moss
Green Bay Packers
- Promoted: LB La’Darius Hamilton
Houston Texans
- Placed on IR: LB Jordan Jenkins
- Promoted: S Jonathan Owens, G Lane Taylor
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Activated from IR: C Brandon Linder, TE James O’Shaughnessy
- Promoted: WR John Brown
- Waived: RB Devine Ozigbo
Los Angeles Chargers
- Promoted: RB Darius Bradwell, CB Kiondre Thomas
Los Angeles Rams
- Promoted: WR Landen Akers
Miami Dolphins
- Promoted: CB Javaris Davis, S Sheldrick Redwine
- Placed on IR: DB Elijah Campbell
Minnesota Vikings
- Promoted: S Myles Dorn, DT T.J. Smith
New York Giants
- Promoted: WR Pharoh Cooper, DB Steven Parker
New York Jets
- Placed on IR: RB Michael Carter (story)
- Promoted: DE Ronald Blair, QB Josh Johnson, RB Austin Walter, DE Jabari Zuniga
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted: S Jared Mayden
Dolphins’ Jamal Perry Done For Year
Jamal Perry‘s knee injury will be a season-ender, as Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald tweets. Unfortunately, this was the expected news after Perry was carted off the field last week against the Jets. 
[RELATED: Dolphins, Howard Restructure Deal]
Perry, 27, jockeyed between the Dolphins’ practice squad and active roster throughout the year. His season will end after four tackles in four appearances with the bulk of his time coming on special teams. Perry has seen more significant action in the past, however, including 2019 season when he made six starts. The Dolphins have replenished their defensive back depth by signing safety Will Parks off of the 49ers’ practice squad, but they may look to add a corner in the coming days.
Meanwhile, linebacker Brennan Scarlett‘s knee injury isn’t quite as serious, according to Jackson. He also placed on injured reserve following Sunday’s game, but he could return in as little as three weeks.
The Dolphins are riding a three-game winning streak heading into this week’s game against the Panthers. While they face long odds of winning the Wild Card, they still have a ~6% chance of pulling out a playoff berth, according to Five Thirty Eight.
Dolphins, Xavien Howard Restructure Deal
The Dolphins have restructured the contract of star cornerback Xavien Howard (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). By converting a portion of his base salary into a signing bonus, the Dolphins now carved out an additional $3.8MM in cap room for 2021. 
[RELATED: Dolphins Sign Parks Off 49ers’ P-Squad]
This marks Howard‘s second contract revision of the year. In August, the Dolphins ended Howard’s holdout by guaranteeing his entire 2021 salary while adding $3.5MM in incentives to his deal. Of course, that hasn’t done much to quell the speculation over his long-term future in Miami.
On the flipside, the Dolphins did rebuff a pre-deadline trade offer from the Ravens, back when they were a one-win team. It’s possible that Baltimore GM Eric DeCosta would have even coughed up a first-rounder to land the two-time Pro Bowler if the Dolphins were willing to eat a portion of his $13.8MM salary. Chris Grier‘s refusal — in the midst of a down year for Howard — indicates that he could still be in their plans for 2022 and beyond.
Since then, the Dolphins have rattled off three straight wins, bringing them to 4-7 on the year. Howard & Co. will look to extend the streak on Sunday when they host the Cam Newton-led Panthers.
Dolphins Sign Will Parks Off 49ers’ P-Squad
The Dolphins added a veteran safety Wednesday, signing sixth-year man Will Parks off of the 49ers’ practice squad. This will be Parks’ fifth team since the start of the 2020 season.
A four-year Broncos contributor, Parks spent the offseason with the Chiefs before being released in August and signing on with the 49ers’ practice squad in early November. He did not play in a game with San Francisco and has not seen game action since last season.
The former sixth-round pick out of Arizona has seen considerable playing time as a pro, starting 10 games for the Broncos and playing in all but two in his first four years. After signing a one-year deal with the Eagles as a free agent, the Philadelphia native ended up being waived due to injuries. He did, however, land back in Denver via waiver claim. Parks played in four more games with the Broncos last season but was again not retained in free agency.
Parks will add a veteran presence alongside Eric Rowe in a safety room that includes young players in Sheldrick Redwine, Brandon Jones, and Jevon Holland. Because the Dolphins plucked Parks off another team’s practice squad, he must remain on their active roster for at least three weeks.
Parks, 27, will reunite with ex-Broncos teammate Phillip Lindsay in Miami, with the Dolphins having claimed the running back off waivers from the Texans on Wednesday.