Dolphins S Jevon Holland Expected To Miss Time
As the Dolphins stopped their losing skid in games Tua Tagovailoa did not finish, another of their top players sustained an injury that is expected to sideline him for a bit.
Safety Jevon Holland suffered a broken bone in his hand in Sunday’s win over the Patriots, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. It is not yet known if IR will be in play here, but the Dolphins are readying to play without their top safety.
Holland’s left hand was in a cast following the game, with some discussion of surgery between he and his teammates, per Omar Kelly of the Miami Herald. An extended absence by the star safety would be a significant blow to a Miami defense that entered Week 4 allowing just 162.5 passing yards per game, the fifth-lowest in the NFL.
The Dolphins also played their Week 5 game without their other starting safety, Jordan Poyer, who missed his first game of the season due to a shin injury. Elijah Campbell is listed as Holland’s backup on the Dolphins’ depth chart, but he started just two games across his first four NFL seasons. Mike McDaniel could instead turn to veteran Marcus Maye, who signed with Miami in June. Maye has 77 starts across his eight year career, though he has played just 25% of the Dolphins’ defensive snaps this season.
Holland is also in the final year of his rookie contract, so his broken bone could impact his upcoming negotiations with the Dolphins. The two sides had yet to make progress on extension talks entering the season, and Holland’s injury may throw another wrench into this matter.
The former second-round pick was active for every game in his first two NFL seasons before a concussion sidelined him in Week 8 last year. A knee malady held him out from Weeks 12 to 15 in 2023 and recurred in Week 18 to keep him out of the Dolphins’ wild-card loss to the Chiefs. Holland will be looking to capitalize on the recent boom in safety salaries, so a smooth recovery will be important to ensure that Miami (or a free agency suitor) will be getting its money’s worth.
Odell Beckham Jr. Addresses Knee Surgery, Dolphins Deal
Odell Beckham Jr. was activated from the PUP list in time to make his Dolphins debut in Week 5. A knee injury prevented him from being healthy at the start of the campaign, something the veteran wideout recently expounded on. 
“[After last] season, there was a lot going on in my life, personal life, businesses, all of that, that just kind of had me in a place where football wasn’t exactly a priority,” Beckham said (via Adam Beasley of Pro Football Network). “So football wasn’t exactly the first and foremost thing on my mind.
“Then I had to have a small clean up of the knee and just kind of going through that free agency process. You know, my agent and I went back and forth, whether we do it right after the season or we wait until free agency happens and I just feel like I waited too late.”
Indeed, it took until May for a deal between Beckham and the Dolphins to be worked out. That one-year pact has a value of $3MM, a reflection of what he is expected to produce with his latest team. The 31-year-old posted a 35-565-3 touchdown statline during his single campaign with the Ravens last year, and he is slated to handle WR3 duties in Miami behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. As Beasley notes, the Dolphins were on board with the timing of Beckham’s procedure knowing he would likely miss time at the start of the season. That allowed the former Rams Super Bowl winner to proceed with his Miami pact rather than continuing to wait out free agency.
Of course, the team’s offense is dealing with the absence of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa for the time being, and efficient passing attacks have not been present since his latest concussion. Beckham could help in that department once he returns to game shape after an offseason spent rehabbing from the surgery. Details on his recovery were scarce through the summer, with Miami electing to take a cautious approach which makes sense given the three-time Pro Bowler’s history of knee injuries.
A healthy slate the rest of the way on Beckham’s part would be welcomed for Miami’s offense as the team looks to build off Sunday’s win over the Patriots. That game brought the Dolphins’ record to 2-3, but improvement on offense will be needed moving forward. If Beckham can provide it, he could have a more traditional free agent process during the spring.
No Target Date For Dolphins’ Bradley Chubb To Return
The Dolphins recently placed edge defender Jaelan Phillips on season-ending injured reserve with a partially-torn ACL, which has magnified the absence of fellow pass rusher Bradley Chubb. While Chubb is now eligible to be activated off of the PUP list since four regular season games are in the books, there is still no target date for his return, per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
Chubb suffered an ACL tear of his own in Week 17 of the 2023 campaign, which prematurely ended what had been an exceedingly productive season – his first full year in South Beach after the ‘Fins acquired him via a midseason trade with the Broncos in 2022 – and which raised concern about his 2024 availability. He opened training camp on the PUP list, and he was unable to get back on the practice field over the remainder of the summer, so he stayed on PUP following final roster cuts (which required that he miss the first four games of the season).
When addressing the matter at the end of September, head coach Mike McDaniel did not suggest that there were any setbacks in Chubb’s recovery, saying only that, “Bradley had a pretty severe injury; he’s doing very well in his progression.” Defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver did not offer much more by way of concrete details, saying, “Chubb is in all of our meetings – gives me the feel we will see him at some point this year” (via Jackson).
As of the time of this writing, Weaver’s defense actually ranks sixth in terms of yards allowed, although the unit is seventh-worst in terms of points allowed. The Dolphins have also tallied just seven sacks through the first four games – the third-lowest figure in the league – further underscoring how badly they miss Chubb.
Of course, even the immediate return of Chubb would not entirely cure what ails the 1-3 Miami outfit, which lost starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to yet another concussion in Week 2. The Dolphins will not get him back until Week 8 at the earliest, at which point the season could be difficult to salvage. However, if the backup passers can at least keep the team afloat, the prospective returns of Tagovailoa and Chubb would represent a major boost to a possible playoff push.
In the wake of the Phillips injury, the Dolphins plucked Tyus Bowser off the Seahawks’ taxi squad and worked out other veteran edge options this week.
Dolphins Activate WR Odell Beckham Jr.
Odell Beckham Jr. is set to make his Dolphins debut. The Dolphins have activated the wide receiver from the PUP list, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. OBJ is expected to play in Miami’s Week 5 matchup against the Patriots.
[RELATED: Dolphins Open Odell Beckham Jr.’s Practice Window]
The 31-year-old inked a one-year deal with the Dolphins back in May. The veteran was subsequently sidelined with an undisclosed injury and landed on PUP to begin the 2024 season. Following his return to practice this week, we got clarity that OBJ was dealing with a knee injury, a hint that he likely had a knee operation this past offseason.
Considering Beckham’s experience with torn ACLs, it made sense that the Dolphins took it slow with their offseason investment. Fortunately, it sounds like the wideout is past his rehab and finally ready to hit the field. While the organization will happily welcome the former star to their receivers room, he can’t be counted on to turn around a struggling offense that’s still navigating Tua Tagovailoa‘s latest concussion.
Still, Beckham provides some experienced depth behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. After sitting out the 2022 campaign, OBJ spent the 2023 season in Baltimore and proved he still has something left in the tank. In 14 games (six starts) with the Ravens, Beckham hauled in 35 catches for 565 yards and three touchdowns.
While the Dolphins are seeking an offensive spark, they still might take it slow as Beckham works his way back into game shape. The team has mostly relied on Braxton Berrios as their third receiver in 2024, with the likes of Grant DuBose, Robbie Chosen, Dee Eskridge, Malik Washington, and Erik Ezukanma all getting looks behind the top-three WRs.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/5/24
Saturday’s gameday elevations and other minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Elevated: OL Charlie Heck, K Chad Ryland
Baltimore Ravens
- Elevated: RB Chris Collier, OLB Yannick Ngakoue
Buffalo Bills
- Elevated: WR Tyrell Shavers, DT Branson Deen
Carolina Panthers
- Elevated: LB Thomas Incoom, DT T.J. Smith
- Placed on IR: LB Shaq Thompson (story)
Cincinnati Bengals
- Elevated: CB Jalen Davis
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed to active roster: LB Nick Vigil
- Elevated: DE Carl Lawson, CB Amani Oruwariye
Denver Broncos
Green Bay Packers
- Signed to active roster: CB Robert Rochell
- Elevated: FB Andrew Beck
Houston Texans
- Elevated: RB J.J. Taylor
Indianapolis Colts
- Elevated: RB Evan Hull, CB David Long
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Elevated: LB Tanner Muse, S Matthew Jackson
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed to active roster: DE K’Lavon Chaisson
- Placed on IR: LB Luke Masterson
- Elevated: RB Sincere McCormick, WR Alex Bachman
Los Angeles Rams
- Elevated: WR Xavier Smith, CB Ahkello Witherspoon
Miami Dolphins
- Elevated: CB Nik Needham
Minnesota Vikings
- Elevated: RB Myles Gaskin, S Bobby McCain
New England Patriots
- Signed to active roster: DT Jaquelin Roy
- Elevated: OL Bryan Hudson, LB Ochaun Mathis
New York Giants
- Activated from IR: LB Matt Adams
- Waived: LB Benton Whitley
- Elevated: WR Isaiah Hodgins, RB Dante Miller
New York Jets
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Activated from IR: OLB Jeremiah Moon
- Elevated: WR Brandon Johnson, RB Jonathan Ward
San Francisco 49ers
- Activated from IR: DT Kalia Davis
- Elevated: DL T.Y. McGill, WR Trent Taylor
Washington Commanders
- Activated from IR: QB Marcus Mariota
- Elevated: CB Kevon Seymour, WR Brycen Tremayne
Mariota returned to practice on Wednesday, which was the earliest point at which he could be designated for return. As a result, it comes as little surprise he has been brought back onto Washington’s active roster. The 30-year-old is in his first season with the Commanders, and today’s move paves the way for him to handle backup duties moving forward.
Ngakoue remained on the free agent market into the start of the regular season. He was not connected to a Ravens reunion, but one took place last week. The journeyman sack artist had a brief spell with Baltimore in 2020, and he posted three sacks in 11 games. Ngakoue, 29, had one-and done campaigns in Vegas, Indianapolis and Chicago before taking a Ravens practice squad deal. He will make his debut tomorrow and aim to provide depth along the edge.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/5/24
Saturday’s taxi squad moves:
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: CB Alex Johnson
- Released: RB Trent Pennix
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: QB Tim Boyle
Boyle was released on Friday, but the team announced today he has been re-signed. In addition, Boyle has been elevated for tomorrow’s contest, meaning he will dress as one of the Dolphins’ quarterback options behind Tyler Huntley and Skylar Thompson. The return of Tua Tagovailoa will push Boyle, 30, further down the depth chart.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/4/24
Today’s minor moves in the NFL:
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed to active roster: TE Jody Fortson
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: DL Jonah Williams
- Activated from IR: DT Larrell Murchison
Miami Dolphins
- Released: QB Tim Boyle
New Orleans Saints
- Waived: WR A.T. Perry
The Rams get Murchison back in his third season with the team. The veteran defensive tackle was placed on injured reserve before final roster cuts, but thanks to the NFL’s new return designation rules, Murchison is not forced to miss the entire season. Los Angeles designated him to return when placing him on IR in August, and after opening his practice window on Wednesday, he’ll have the opportunity to debut in Week 5.
Boyle found his way to Miami’s practice squad just before the season began after spending most of his offseason in Houston. Following another concussion for starting passer Tua Tagovailoa, Boyle was called up to serve as an emergency quarterback behind Skyler Thompson and Mike White. With the arrival of Tyler Huntley from Baltimore, as well, the room became too crowded, and it appears that Boyle will be the odd man out.
Perry is being waived shortly into his second year with the Saints. The former sixth-round pick out of Wake Forest only caught 12 passes as a rookie in 10 games last year, but at 6-foot-5, he proved productive with the long ball and in the red zone, averaging 20.5 yards per reception and catching four touchdowns.
Tyreek Hill Not Expecting Dolphins Trade
Expectations were high for a third straight postseason appearance in the case of the 2024 Dolphins. The playoffs are certainly not out of reach at this point, but the team faces an uphill battle with a 1-3 record and several injuries to overcome. 
[RELATED: Odell Beckham Jr. Returns To Practice]
Quarterback Tua Tagovalioa is making progress in his recovery from a concussion, but it remains to be seen when he will be back in the lineup. At a minimum, a few more games with backup options Tyler Huntley and Skylar Thompson will be in store. Miami’s defense has been dealt a blow with edge rusher Jaelan Phillips set to undergo season-ending knee surgery. The Dolphins managed to make the postseason last year in spite of Phillips’ Achilles tear, but duplicating that feat in 2024 will be a tall order.
For that reason, speculation has increased about the possibility the team could adopt a seller’s standpoint ahead of the trade deadline. Failing to bounce back from September’s poor showing could leave Miami further adrift of a playoff berth closer to the November 5 deadline, and in that event certain veteran players could become available. Tyreek Hill, unsurprisingly, does not expect to be one of them.
“We’ve got a great situation here, my family loves it, I enjoy it, the weather’s great, the fans are great,” the 30-year-old said (via NFL.com). “So, we’ve got a beautiful situation here, man. Obviously, my parents always taught me control the controllables. I only can control so much. That being said, we all know the NFL is a business. Whatever happens, happens. Moving forward, I would love to be here — I love being here. I love the guys.”
Hill, like fellow wideout Jaylen Waddle, landed a new Dolphins contract this offseason. The five-time All-Pro worked out a three-year, $90MM restructure which took the place of his previous pact. The new agreement contains $65MM in total guarantees, and a trade in 2024 would result in a dead money charge of just over $41MM. No such move is feasible from the Dolphins’ perspective as a result.
Hill made it clear during the offseason that he wanted to avoid his contract talks leading to a trade, which of course was the case in 2022 with the Chiefs dealing him to the Dolphins. It would come as a major surprise if any consideration were given on Miami’s part to a trade at this point, and Hill himself clearly shares that sentiment.
Dolphins Working Out Potential Edge Replacements
The Dolphins received some unfortunate news yesterday as they discovered that a knee injury will sideline former first-round pick Jaelan Phillips for the remainder of the season. They filled Phillips’ vacant roster spot today with Tyus Bowser, signing him off of the Seahawks’ practice squad, but the additions may not stop there. 
In addition to reuniting Bowser with defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver after their time together in Baltimore, Miami brought in a few names to work out for potential contracts. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, veterans Shaq Lawson, Al-Quadin Muhammad, and Cam Gill were all in South Florida today to audition for potential roster spots.
While both Lawson and Weaver have spent time with the Jets, Bills, and Dolphins, their time never lined up together. Lawson does have experience in Miami, though, starting seven games for the team in 2020 and delivering four sacks and a career-high 18 quarterback hits. Since then, he has remained in the AFC East, spending a year with the Jets and two more seasons with the Bills, who drafted him in 2016. His role in Buffalo last year was minimal as he served as an occasional sub in the defensive pass rush.
Muhammad had an impressive 2021 campaign in Indianapolis. In his first season as a full-time starter, the Miami (FL) product delivered career highs in sacks (6.0), total tackles (48), and quarterback hits (13). Rewarded with a new contract in Chicago, Muhammad struggled to find similar success in his new role with the Bears. He spent last year on the Colts’ practice squad but didn’t play, especially after a six-game suspension was levied on him by the league for violating the NFL’s PED policy.
Gill, a former undrafted free agent for the Buccaneers, fought back from his own recent injury history to play 15 games in Tampa Bay last year. He doesn’t quite have the pass rushing upside that Lawson and Muhammad bring to the table, but he remains a potential body that Miami could add on defense.
Weaver has plenty of options to try and replace Phillips as the team moves forward with its season, though none of the options will likely match the production Phillips brought to the table. Regardless, as Miami continues to be plagued with injuries on both sides of the ball, adding quality bodies continues to be the focus.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/3/24
Thursday’s minor transactions from around the NFL:
Atlanta Falcons
- Elevated: G Matt Hennessy, LB Josh Woods
Baltimore Ravens
- Designated to return from IR: RB Rasheen Ali
Miami Dolphins
- Placed on IR: OLB Jaelan Phillips (story)
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed to active roster: TE Robert Tonyan
- Released: RB Myles Gaskin
New Orleans Saints
- Opened practice window: RB Kendre Miller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Elevated: P Trenton Gill, WR Cody Thompson
Phillips’ spot on the 53-man roster was filled today when Miami signed outside linebacker Tyus Bowser from Seattle’s practice squad.
The young running back in Baltimore will have his 21-day practice window opened as he attempts to come back from injury after being placed on injured reserve the day of the season opener.