Jeff Fisher: Isaiah Pead’s Career Over
Isaiah Pead‘s playing career is over as a result of the car crash he was involved in last week, Rams coach Jeff Fisher told reporters (via ESPN.com). Pead suffered major injuries and was said to be in critical condition in an Ohio hospital. 
[RELATED: Isaiah Pead Involved In Car Crash]
“Our organization’s hearts and prayers go out to the Isaiah Pead family,” Fisher said. “I spoke with his mom [on Saturday]. He’s struggling, and he’s going to have a tough road. We’re hoping that he’ll come through this, but his career is over, and he was an outstanding young man while we had him.”
Pead lost control of his car on Interstate 670, and the vehicle went through a guardrail and down an embankment. Police have determined that drugs and alcohol were not a factor in the crash.
The running back played for the Rams from 2012-2015 before joining the Dolphins in March. In October, Miami dropped him along with other notable veterans in an effort to get out of their early season slide.
Our thoughts and best wishes go out to Pead and his family during this difficult time.
Dolphins Examining Branden Albert’s Wrist
After hurting his wrist in Sunday’s game against the Chargers, Branden Albert toughed it out and returned to the game with a cast on his hand. Still, the Dolphins are concerned about the injury in the long term. Albert will go through tests this week and the advice of doctors will determine whether he can keep playing or if he has to miss games. 
“Right now we’re going through the stages of having the hand specialist look at it just to make sure that no further damage can be done,” Adam Gase said (via Jason Lieser of The Palm Beach Post). “There’s all these little steps you have to go through just to make sure we’re not hurting him for future or affecting his long-term career. We have to go through all those little steps to make sure that we handle everything the right way.”
Albert said that a mid-game X-ray revealed that he did not break any bones. However, Gase would not confirm the tackle’s interpretation of the scans.
With Albert sidelined, the Dolphins saw a possible preview of the future with Laremy Tunsil at left tackle. If Albert is forced to miss additional time, Tunsil will likely hold down that spot with Kraig Urbik taking his place at guard.
After a dreadful start to the year, the Dolphins have put together a four-game winning streak to put themselves at 5-4. Albert and the rest of the offensive line has been a big reason for that success and losing the two-time Pro Bowler could slow their momentum.
Dolphins Activate DT Earl Mitchell From IR
The Dolphins are officially activating Earl Mitchell. The defensive tackle has been on injured reserve for the last two months. 
Mitchell suffered a calf injury early on in September, leading Miami to put him on the shelf. Now that his mandatory eight weeks are up, Mitchell is free to return to the team and suit up on Sunday against the Chargers.
Mitchell, 29, left the Texans in free agency to sign with the Dolphins prior to the 2014 season. The defensive tackle received a four-year, $19MM deal with $8MM guaranteed. In his first year as a Dolphin, Mitchell was a highly-valued sub as he notched 33 total tackles and 2.0 sacks. Last year, he had 22 total tackles and no sacks in 12 games (all starts).
This year, Mitchell was being counted on to start on the interior line alongside Ndamukong Suh. Miami has had to get by without him for the last couple of months, but they’ll be happy to have the veteran on the field this weekend.
Andre Branch Is Hoping To Get "Paid"
- Dolphins defensive coordinator Vance Joseph attributes defensive end Andre Branch‘s production to the player’s impending free agency. Joseph told Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald that Branch is hoping to get “paid,” thus explaining the uptick in production (Twitter link). Through eight games, the 27-year-old has 20 tackles and three sacks.
[SOURCE LINK]
Dolphins Sign Bene Benwikere To Practice Squad
One day after being waived by the Dolphins, Bene Benwikere is back with the organization. According to Tom Pelissero of USA Today (via Twitter), the cornerback has cleared waivers and will join the Dolphins’ practice squad.
The former fifth-round pick was projected to be the Panthers’ top cornerback entering the season, but the 25-year-old was lit up by Falcons receiver Julio Jones in early October. The wideout hauled in 12 catches for 300 yards and a touchdown during the Week 4 matchup, and Benwikere was waived by the Panthers days later. The defensive back was subsequently claimed by the Dolphins, but he never saw the field in any of his three games with the team.
As our own Zach Links noted yesterday, both the Redskins and Titans put in a claim on the cornerback back in October. However, it seems like his few suitors showed little interest this time around. Of course, that shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, as Pro Football Focus ranks Benwikere 96th among 117 cornerback candidates.
49ers IR Arik Armstead, Claim Chris Jones
The 49ers have placed defensive tackle Arik Armstead on injured reserve and claimed fellow D-tackle Chris Jones off waivers from the Dolphins, per Doug Kyed of NESN (Twitter links).
Armstead has suited up for all eight of the 49ers’ games this season and garnered four starts, but a shoulder injury has bothered the ex-Oregon Duck since training camp. As a result, he only took the field for four plays in the 49ers’ 41-23 loss to the Saints last Sunday. The 2015 first-round pick has amassed decent counting stats this year – 15 tackles, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble – but Pro Football Focus ranks his overall performance a below-average 85th among 119 qualified interior D-linemen.
A third-year man, Jones totaled 24 appearances and 22 starts over his first two NFL seasons as a member of the Patriots, who cut him in April. He went on to appear in seven of the Dolphins’ games this year and participate in 19 percent of their defensive snaps before they waived him Monday.
Dolphins Add Storm Johnson To Practice Squad
The Dolphins have signed running back Storm Johnson to their practice squad, according to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald (Twitter link).
Johnson, previously with the Jaguars and Buccaneers, now has the distinction of having been a part of all three of the NFL’s Florida organizations. He also attended college at Central Florida, and his tenure there was good enough for the Jags to use a seventh-round pick on him in 2014. Johnson collected 29 carries for 86 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie, but he sat out last season after the Jaguars cut him in advance of Week 1. Johnson then inked a two-year deal in April with the Bucs, who waived the 24-year-old in August.
Barring injuries, Johnson will have a difficult time cracking the Dolphins’ roster this year. Jay Ajayi has been among the league’s best running backs, while Damien Wiliams and Week 9 hero Kenyan Drake have fared well in reserve.
Dolphins Waive CB Bene Benwikere
For the second time in two months, Bene Benwikere is out of a job. The Dolphins are waiving the cornerback, according to Tom Pelissero of USA Today Sports (on Twitter). The team has confirmed the move via press release.
In October, Benwikere was torched by Julio Jones for 228 yards as the Panthers fell to the Falcons. Days later, Carolina dropped the player who was projected to be their No. 1 corner this year. The Dolphins, who were 1-4 at the time, used their high waiver priority to grab Benwikere. Now, they’re throwing him back out on the waiver wire.
Before Miami grabbed Benwikere, the Redskins and Titans both put in claims on the 25-year-old. It stands to reason that they could consider him again.
This year, Pro Football Focus has Benwikere ranked as just the No. 96 corner out of 117 qualified players.
Dolphins Activate CB Chris Culliver
The Dolphins announced that they have officially activated cornerback Chris Culliver from the PUP list to the 53-man roster. In related moves, the Dolphins waived defensive tackle Chris Jones, waived/injured cornerback Chimdi Chekwa, and promoted defensive back LaFayette Pitts from practice squad. 
Culliver took the practice field in mid-October, setting him up for his November return to football. Culliver tore his ACL roughly one year ago and it has been a tough road back for the veteran. This offseason, the Dolphins were desperate for help in the secondary and they signed Culliver to a one-year deal with the knowledge that he would be out for the first half of the season.
Now, the Dolphins are more in need of secondary help than ever. Star strong safety Reshad Jones has been playing through a torn rotator cuff for two years, but he pushed it too far and was shut down for the season. At corner, rookie Xavien Howard is dealing with a knee injury and Chekwa is obviously out of the picture. Now at 4-4 after beating the Jets, Culliver joins the Dolphins at a very critical time that can determine the course of their season.
Jordan Cameron Wants To Keep Playing
Dolphins coach Adam Gase told reporters today that tight end Jordan Cameron wants to continue playing (Twitter link via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com). This declaration comes after word that Cameron was thinking about walking away from football in light of his concussions. 
Gase says that Cameron thought about retirement in recent days but ultimately decided to forge ahead. Cameron will be sidelined for the remainder of this season after his fourth concussion in four years sent him to IR this weekend. Cameron hasn’t taken the field since the traumatic brain injury was suffered in late September.
Cameron had a career year in 2013 with the Browns, when he established career-highs in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. Unfortunately, he has not come close that kind of production since then. Cameron flopped in 2014, a contract year, and wound up in Miami on a two-year, $15MM deal. After an underwhelming 2015, the Dolphins had him rework his deal this offseason.
For now, Miami will forge ahead with MarQueis Gray and Dominique Jones at tight end until Dion Sims is back in action. This offseason, the Fins may look to address the position in free agency or the draft.