Dolphins’ Mike Pouncey Could Miss Week One
Dolphins center Mike Pouncey is unlikely to play in any more preseason contests and could potentially miss Week One with a hip injury, head coach Adam Gase told reporters, including Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald and James Walker of ESPN.com (Twitter links). Pouncey had offseason surgery on his right hip, but this injury is on his left side, tweets Salguero.
[RELATED: Dolphins Eyeing Stephen Tulloch]
Miami’s offensive line is undergoing a wave of change along its interior, so losing Pouncey as the anchor, for any amount of time, is all the more troubling. First-round pick Laremy Tunsil is competing with Dallas Thomas to start at left guard, while free agent signee Jermon Bushrod is pushing against Billy Turner for playing time on the right side. Anthony Steen, a former undrafted free agent who spent 2015 on Miami’s practice squad, appears to be the next man up at center.
Pouncey, 27, had hip surgery back in 2014, and ultimately missed four games to begin that campaign. He rebounded, however, starting 12 games while appearing mostly at guard, and ended up making the Pro Bowl. In 2015, Pouncey once again made the Pro Bowl after returning to center and starting 14 games, though he was derailed by a late-season ankle injury. The sixth-year pro graded as the league’s No. 11 center last year, according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Isaiah Pead Making A Strong Case For A Roster Spot
- Dolphins running back Isaiah Pead, who was signed to be little more than a camp body, has been the team’s best back this preseason, says Adam H. Beasley of The Miami Herald. Miami’s running back depth chart includes Jay Ajayi, Damien Williams, Kenyan Drake, and Arian Foster, but Drake hasn’t practiced in weeks after sustaining a hamstring injury, which means that Pead could fill one of the team’s projected four RB openings. Pead was given coveted first-team snaps in the Dolphins’ second preseason contest, the clearest sign yet that he might be on the right side of the roster bubble.
Could Dolphins Keep 4 QBs?
- The Dolphins haven’t been inclined to keep a third quarterback on the 53-man roster to start the season in recent years, but rookie seventh-round pick Brandon Doughty could break that trend, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald writes. Doughty was 7-for-9 for 66 yards in the team’s preseason opener against the Giants. The Dolphins could try to sneak Doughty on the practice squad and use that roster spot for someone else, but they may not want to risk losing him to another team. For a full view of the Dolphins’ depth chart, head to Roster Resource.
Dolphins Eyeing Stephen Tulloch
As they search for depth before the beginning of the regular season, the Dolphins are considering free agent linebacker Stephen Tulloch, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Miami wanted to bring in Tulloch for a workout recently, but the club made it clear that it would only consider a cheap deal, which Tulloch apparently isn’t willing to settle for at the moment.
[RELATED: Offseason In Review — Miami Dolphins]
Tulloch, 31, hasn’t drawn much interest on the open market since being released by the Lions in early July. While he’s been tangentially linked to openings with the Cowboys, Tulloch’s only real negotiations have been with the Eagles, who employ his former head coach, Jim Schwartz, as defensive coordinator. Philadelphia was said to be in heavy negotiations with Tulloch as of 10 days ago, but no deal has been struck as of yet.
In his fifth year in Detroit, Tulloch started all 16 games, racking up 108 total tackles, one sack, and two fumble recoveries. However, he wasn’t quite an every-down player, as he saw time on less than 70% of the Lions’ defensive plays. Tulloch also graded out relatively poorly in Pro Football Focus’ rankings, placing as the No. 54 inside linebacker among 97 qualifiers.
As Roster Resource details, Miami is currently projected to start Koa Misi, offseason acquisition Kiko Alonso, and Jelani Jenkins at linebacker, with Spencer Paysinger, Zach Vigil, James-Michael Johnson, and others in reserve. Tulloch, if not a clear backup, would likely serve as an early-down run-stuffer were he to sign with the Dolphins. If Miami is still looking for a low-cost alternative to add to its front seven, as Jackson writes, other free agents such as A.J. Hawk, DeMeco Ryans, Curtis Lofton, and Joe Mays could be of interest to the club.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Dolphins Waive/Injured Farrington Huguenin
- The Dolphins announced that they have waived/injured defensive end Farrington Huguenin.
Will Griff Whalen Make Dolphins Roster?
Cromartie was heavily linked to the Dolphins this offseason, but coach Adam Gase apparently isn’t a huge fan of his. Miami auditioned Cromartie earlier this summer and although they said they’d keep his number handy, they have since signed Chris Culliver to help round out their CB group. Cromartie seemed to hint that he is receiving interest, but it’s not clear exactly who is reaching out to him at this stage of the offseason.
- Dolphins wide receiver Griff Whalen is a dark horse candidate to make the team, Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald tweets. As shown on Roster Resource, Griffin is fighting for a spot behind Jarvis Landry, Kenny Stills, DeVante Parker, and Leonte Carroo.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/14/16
Here are today’s minor moves:
- The Dolphins have signed defensive end Cedric Reed, tweets Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. The former Texas product spent last season on the Bills’ practice squad.
- The Eagles have released offensive lineman Malcolm Bunche and wideout Deon Long, reports Zach Berman of The Philadelphia Inquirer (via Twitter). Bunche, a 2015 undrafted free agent, spent last season on Philly’s practice squad. Long, meanwhile, was added by the Eagles in early August after having been cut by the Rams.
Earlier updates:
- The Steelers announced that they’ve placed special teams ace Ross Ventrone on injured reserve after he was injured in the club’s first preseason game. Pittsburgh also waived/injured offensive tackle Brian Mihalik and defensive tackle Roy Philon. To take those roster spots, the Steelers signed offensive tackle Wade Hansen, defensive tackle Khaynin Mosley-Smith, and cornerback Julian Whigham.
- The Falcons‘ roster is back to 90 players after the team signed defensive back Ryan White, the club announced today.
- The Jets have signed DL Jake Ceresna and RB Terry Williams, per Seth Walder of The New York Daily News (via Twitter). Walder adds that DL Christo Bilukidi left camp, and the team waived Anthony Kelly.
- The Browns have signed WR Ed Eagan and have waived/injured Rannell Hall. The team also reached an injury settlement with DL Kyle Rose (Twitter link via Nate Ulrich of The Akron Beacon Journal).
- The Cardinals have released LB Zack Wagenmann with an injury settlement and have signed DT Iosia Iosia, Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com tweets. Wagenmann, whom Arizona signed as a UDFA out of Montana last season, missed his entire rookie campaign after breaking his foot twice. He set Montana’s career sacks (37.5) and tackles for loss (53) records. The Titans signed Iosia as a UDFA this season, but he was waived in May.
Cameron Wake To Come Off Bench?
- Dolphins coaches have viewed Dallas Thomas‘ training camp work as superior to Laremy Tunsil‘s, hence the veteran receiving the call to start on Friday night in the team’s preseason opener, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports. A fourth-year Fins guard, Thomas started every game last season. But Jackson writes the Dolphins shouldn’t be withholding first-team reps from Tunsil since he’s likely going to get the call there once the regular season begins.
- Dolphins coaches have viewed Dallas Thomas‘ training camp work as superior to Laremy Tunsil‘s, hence the veteran receiving the call to start on Friday night in the team’s preseason opener, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports. A fourth-year Fins guard, Thomas started every game last season. But Jackson writes the Dolphins shouldn’t be withholding first-team reps from Tunsil since he’s likely going to get the call there once the regular season begins.
- Miami’s brass told free agents they intended to use Cameron Wake as a pass-rush specialist this season, Jackson reports. Despite signing the 34-year-old defensive end to an extension, Wake could be set for an off-the-bench role. Dolphins staffer Nat Moore expects Jason Jones to start alongside Mario Williams. Wake is coming off a torn Achilles that resulted in him playing just seven games in 2015, the first season of Wake’s NFL career featuring fewer than 14 appearances. Wake’s started 85 of the 100 Dolphins contests he’s suited up for, including every such appearance since 2012.
Multiple Candidates For Dolphins Final DB Spot
- Dolphins rookie safety Jordan Lucas is likely headed to the practice squad, writes Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Assuming Chris Culliver starts the season on the PUP, the final defensive back spot could come down to Chimdi Chekwa or Brandon Harris. “Harris is a veteran guy that knows how to play,” said defensive backs coach Lou Anarumo. “There’s a lot to be said for that. He’s a great kid, hard worker and he knows how to play with leverage.”
[SOURCE LINK]
Chris Culliver Likely PUP List Candidate
- Chris Culliver is likely to begin the season on the PUP list, helping to explain his incentive-laden Dolphins contract, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports. Only cleared to resume football activities last week, Culliver embarked on a mini-free agency period, but the team that signed him wants to play it safe despite not having much depth at corner. He drew interest from the 49ers, Bears and Cardinals before agreeing to sign with another cornerback-depleted team. Culliver told media, including Salguero, he expects to be on the field in around two weeks (Twitter link).
- With the signing of the 6-foot-3 Culliver, the Dolphins are also continuing to transition away from smaller corners, save for those in the slot, per Salguero.