Dolphins Activate Austin Jackson From IR
The Dolphins have gone almost all season without right tackle Austin Jackson, who landed on IR after a Week 1 loss to the Colts. Jackson is now ready to return, though, as the team activated him on Saturday, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Jackson suffered a toe injury in the Dolphins’ opener, leading to a 10-game absence. Larry Borom took over as left-handed quarterback Tua Tagovailoa‘s blindside protector at right tackle while Jackson was out. Borom, who has played 600 offensive snaps this year, ranks as Pro Football Focus’ 57th-best tackle out of 81 qualifiers.
A first-round pick in 2020, Jackson has started in 55 of 57 games in his five-plus seasons with the Dolphins. Injuries have been a frequent problem for Jackson, however, as he missed 15 games in 2022 and has sat out 19 of 27 since last season.
Jackson’s under contract through 2026 on a three-year, $36MM extension, but that December 2023 agreement came with former general manager Chris Grier at the controls. The Dolphins parted with Grier in October. His successor, whether it’s interim GM Champ Kelly or someone else, will decide Jackson’s future in the offseason. The 26-year-old could be a candidate for release then. In the meantime, he’ll aim for a healthy finish to the season.
Along with activating Jackson and tight end Darren Waller (previously reported), the Dolphins waived offensive lineman Kion Smith and TE Hayden Rucci on Saturday.
Part of the Miami organization since 2021, Smith has totaled 20 appearances with the team. He got into nine games in 2023 before missing all of 2024 with a torn ACL. Smith returned to play in the Dolphins’ first 11 games this year, picking up a pair of starts along the way.
Rucci, undrafted from Wisconsin in 2024, made his first four appearances this year. He totaled 81 snaps (42 on special teams, 39 on offense) before the Dolphins cut him.
Dolphins To Activate Darren Waller From IR
The Dolphins are expected to activate Darren Waller from injured reserve for their Week 13 matchup with the Saints, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Waller landed on injured reserve after suffering a pectoral strain in Week 7. He completed his mandatory four-game absence and was designated to return earlier this week. He participated in all three practices and is designated as questionable for Sunday’s game.
Waller’s return will boost a Dolphins tight end room that has struggled to produce this year. Other than Waller, none of Miami’s tight ends have scored a touchdown this year, and the position group as a whole has contributed just 28 receptions for 269 yards. In Waller’s three games before getting injured, he made 10 catches for 117 yards and four touchdowns.
Miami will need to clear a 53-man roster spot to complete Waller’s activation, but it is not clear who will be waived. The Dolphins have three tight ends – Julian Hill, Tanner Conner, and Greg Dulcich – on their active roster, plus fullback Alec Ingold. Head coach Mike McDaniel seems to value Hill, Conner, and Ingold’s blocking prowess, but Dulcich has been a better pass-catcher than all three since Waller went down. He has eight catches for 89 yards in three games for an average of 22.2 yards per game, more than what Hill and Conner’s combined total.
Momentum Building For Mike McDaniel To Remain Dolphins’ HC?
Viewed as a lame duck as the Dolphins cleaned house in the front office midway through this season, Mike McDaniel has responded by winning three games since the Chris Grier separation. The Dolphins are not exactly topping “In the Hunt” graphics at 4-7, but they have played better over the past month.
McDaniel led the team to back-to-back playoff berths — the first such instance for Miami since its 1997-2001 string of postseason qualifications — to open his tenure and went 8-9 despite Tua Tagovailoa‘s six missed games in 2024. As rumors about instability within the Dolphins’ organization swirled this offseason and into the campaign, McDaniel still entered the season on the hot seat. While the fourth-year HC’s seat should still be considered warm, momentum may be building toward the team retaining him.
Stephen Ross still believes in McDaniel and wants to see him succeed, according to ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano, who adds the Miami sideline leader staying in place through 2026 is in play. This would make for an interesting dynamic, as the Dolphins will need a new GM after separating from Grier. But McDaniel’s success coaxing solid play from Tagovailoa, for the most part, will work in his favor — especially if Miami is to continue winning down the stretch.
I mentioned in last week’s PFR chat that a deeper pool of defensive-minded candidates — Vance Joseph, Chris Shula, Jeff Hafley, Jesse Minter, Robert Saleh among them — appears to exist compared to offense-oriented coaches with regards to a 2026 HC hire. Joe Brady and Kliff Kingsbury still figure to generate interest, but their stocks have not exactly soared this season. McDaniel being a proven offensive coach — one who would generate considerable interest on the 2026 OC carousel if fired — gives Ross something to think about, and Graziano colleague Jeremy Fowler indicates McDaniel being a superior option to most offensive minds on the ’26 HC carousel will work in his favor.
While Tyreek Hill‘s 2022 arrival also played a significant role in Tagovailoa’s ascent, McDaniel’s arrival elevated the passer considerably after two uneven years. Tua’s legion of detractors notwithstanding, the left-handed passer has led the NFL in yards per attempt (2022), passing yards (2023) and completion percentage (2024) in separate seasons. To be fair, his 24th-place QBR placement this year leaves much to be desired. But if McDaniel can coax a solid finish from a player the Dolphins are pot-committed to — as his 2026 guaranteed salary will be difficult to move — that may be the difference in him receiving a fifth season.
As we discussed in a recent Trade Rumors Front Office piece, coaches and GMs being misaligned has proven to be an issue in recent years. Teams are shying away from not aligning their HC and GM hires; the Dolphins pairing McDaniel with a new GM hire would naturally keep the HC on the hot seat for 2026 as well. McDaniel’s extension also runs through 2028. Should the Dolphins stick with him for one more season or cut the cord and pair a new GM with his own HC?
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/25/25
Tuesday’s practice squad updates from around the NFL…
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: QB Sean Clifford
Detroit Lions
- Signed: S Erick Hallett
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: CB Cameron Mitchell
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: DL Boogie Basham
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: OL Wyatt Bowles
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: LB Jimmy Ciarlo
Minnesota Vikings
- Released: CB Shemar Bartholomew
New England Patriots
- Signed: OL Bill Murray
- Released: RB Jonathan Ward
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: WR Samori Toure, RB Ian Wheeler, K Cade York (story)
- Released: WR Jha’Quan Jackson, LB Eku Leota
New York Giants
- Signed: CB Myles Purchase
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: DE Anthony Goodlow, WR Cornell Powell
- Released: DB Daequan Hardy, LB Mark Robinson
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: OT Chandler Brewer
- Released: WR Kristian Wilkerson
Dolphins To Designate TE Darren Waller To Return From IR
Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said (via ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques) that tight end Darren Waller will be designated to return from injured reserve this week.
Waller suffered a pectoral strain in Week 7 and landed on IR shortly after. After four games on the sidelines, he is now eligible to return to the field. This was his second absence this season; he missed Miami’s first three games due to a hip injury suffered in training camp.
In his three games before getting injured, Waller caught 10 of his 12 targets for 117 yards and four touchdowns. His averages of 39 yards. 1.3 touchdowns, and 3.3 receptions per game are the best numbers of any Dolphins tight end in the McDaniel era outside of Jonnu Smith. That makes sense considering the fact that Waller came out of retirement this offseason to replace Smith in Miami after he was traded to the Steelers as part of the Jalen Ramsey–Minkah Fitzpatrick swap.
Dolphins tight ends Julian Hill and Tanner Conner have offered precious little production this year, but Greg Dulcich has stepped up since taking Waller’s spot on the 53-man roster. He has eight catches for 89 yards in his last three games, but none of Miami’s TEs have scored a touchdown all season.
Waller will have 21 days to practice with the team before he must be activated to the 53-man roster or revert to season-ending IR.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/21/25
Here are Friday’s minor moves:
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed from practice squad: DE Isaiah Foskey
Miami Dolphins
- Placed on IR: S Jordan Colbert
Foskey joins Cincinnati’s 53-man roster after appearing in two games off the practice squad. After failing to make the initial 53-man roster for the Saints, who drafted him in the second round two years ago, Foskey gets an opportunity in Cinci, where the Bengals have four defensive ends on the injury report with two already ruled out for the weekend.
Colbert suffered a stinger in this weekend’s game in Madrid. His time on the 53-man roster comes to an end after a short month and a half.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/19/25
Wednesday’s minor moves:
Houston Texans
- Claimed off waivers (from Cowboys): LB Damone Clark
- Waived: K Matthew Wright
Los Angeles Chargers
- Claimed off waivers (from Rams): S Chris Smith
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed from practice squad: K Harrison Mevis
Miami Dolphins
- Signed off Rams’ practice squad: CB A.J. Green
- Placed on IR: CB JuJu Brents (story)
New Orleans Saints
- Signed from practice squad: WR Kevin Austin
New York Giants
- Designated for return from reserve/PUP: RB Eric Gray
Philadelphia Eagles
- Practice window opened: T Myles Hinton
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Reverted to season-ending IR: CB Cory Trice
21 days have gone by since the Steelers opened Trice’s practice window. They’ve made the decision not to activate him from injured reserve, so he will remain on IR without the possibility of being activated.
Gray has been on New York’s physically unable to perform list since they set their initial 53-man roster. With rookie running back Cam Skattebo hitting IR earlier in the season, Gray’s return could add some needed depth at the position.
Dolphins CB JuJu Brents To Undergo Season-Ending Foot Surgery
JuJu Brents did not survive roster cuts with the Colts this summer, but he managed to find a role with the Dolphins in 2025. The third-year corner’s season is set to come to an end, however. 
Brents is set to undergo foot surgery which will sideline him for the remainder of the campaign, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network report. The report adds he will be be recovered in full by the start of next season. In the meantime, Miami will be left without yet another corner during the closing stages of the season.
Dating back to the summer, the Dolphins have been hit by a slew of major injuries at that position. The team’s need for depth in the secondary led to Brents being claimed off waivers in August. That move allowed the 25-year-old to carve out a rotational role with his new team. Brents made seven appearances and two starts as a Dolphin prior to suffering the injury, totaling 14 tackles.
One year remains on Brents’ rookie contract, so the Dolphins could elect to keep him in the fold through the coming offseason. Doing so would allow him to compete for a place on what could be a much different looking CB depth chart than what the team currently has. Of course, a decision on that front will be made not by Chris Grier but rather by interim general manager Champ Kelly or his full-time replacement.
Miami has won two straight games to move to 4-7 on the year. The team ranks 13th in the NFL against the pass despite being shorthanded in the secondary all season. Maintaining that level of performance will be more difficult moving forward with Brents no longer in the picture.
Dolphins GM Opening Drawing Interest Around NFL
The Dolphins were the first team to fire a general manager this offseason, and their vacancy is already drawing “lots of attention around the league,” according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.
“It’s viewed as an exceptional front office opportunity by seasoned GMs,” Russini added.
There is one basic reason that the Dolphins’ job seems to appealing at the moment: it’s the only one available. The only other general manager clearly on the hot seat is the Giants’ Joe Schoen. He survived Brian Daboll‘s firing, indicating he might retain his job after the season. Even if he doesn’t, a decision is unlikely to come until the end of the season. Other than Schoen, there has been little talk of teams firing their general managers, though at least a few happen every year.
However, availability is not the only reason that executives around the NFL may be eyeing a move to Miami. The team has a few young cornerstones – wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, running back De’Von Achane, left tackle Patrick Paul, and edge rusher Chop Robinson – but otherwise, the roster needs a major facelift. That would be a significant opportunity for a new GM to completely reshape the team, and he would have plenty of draft capital right away. The Dolphins’ picks should be in the first half of the round in the 2026 draft, and they have two extra third-round picks to work with.
For all the concern about the Dolphins’ 2026 salary cap, the team will have far more financial flexibility in 2027 and beyond. They will likely move on from Tyreek Hill this offseason and can do the same with Tua Tagovailoa in 2027. While the 27-year-old may not be viewed as a franchise quarterback, he is still a serviceable starter that will not force an incoming GM to chase (and potentially overpay for) a new one right away.
The coaching situation is a little less certain. Mike McDaniel seems poised to keep his job, and his offensive acumen could be appealing to a new GM. If McDaniel is fired, either this offseason or sometime in the following year, then the new GM would get to handpick a head coach to work with moving forward.
Dolphins Received ‘Significant Interest’ In RB De’Von Achane
The Dolphins were expected to be sellers at the trade deadline, but they did not engage in an all-out fire sale like the Jets.
Instead, they dealt Jaelan Phillips to the Eagles for a third round pick and held onto Jaylen Waddle and Bradley Chubb. Miami also received “significant interest” in fourth-year RB De’Von Achane, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
“It seems the speedy 24-year-old generated as many phone calls as anyone, with Miami [setting] a second-round pick and more as the price,” Rapoport added.
That would be a costly move for a running back, but Achane has emerged as one of the league’s most versatile offensive weapons since he was drafted in 2023. The former second-round pick averaged 7.8 yards per carry as a rookie and expanded his receiving game significantly in 2024. He was a solid pass-catcher in college, but has emerged as a key cog in the Dolphins’ passing game over the last two years. Achane has put it all together in 2025, averaging 78.0 rushing yards and 32.5 receiving yards per game.
Ultimately, teams were not willing to pony up for Achane. One could argue that his production is partially due to his unique role in Mike McDaniel‘s scheme and may not completely transfer to a new offense. However, his 5.5 yards per carry behind a suspect Dolphins offensive line and receiving skillset would have value on any team.
Achane’s prominence in Miami’s offense is also a reason that the Dolphins would not want to move him. McDaniel seems poised to keep his job for the time being, but if he is retained for 2026, he will need to show improvement to stick around any longer. Achane is still under contract for another year and will be a crucial part of the team’s bounce-back effort next season. McDaniel blocked a trade that would have sent Calais Campbell to the Ravens last year and may have been similarly reluctant to part ways with Achane.
The Dolphins’ firing of general manager Chris Grier may have also been a factor in the team opting not to move Achane. The Dolphins seem headed towards a major overhaul, if not this offseason, then in the next two years. They still have the option to trade Achane this offseason – at which point he could have even more value if he continues his recent production – but a new general manager may see him as a long-term cornerstone and wish to extend him instead.