Dolphins Activate QB Tua Tagovailoa Off IR
Tua Tagovailoa is officially back. The Dolphins have activated the quarterback off injured reserve. While Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com observes that Tagovailoa is listed as questionable, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network tweets that the QB will start tomorrow in London.
Tua hasn’t played since suffering a rib injury during Miami’s Week 2 loss to the Bills. He was placed on IR in late September, and he was designated to return from IR earlier this week. While the QB got a week of practice under his belt, it was still uncertain if the organization would fly the former first-round pick across the Atlantic Ocean in order to play the winless Jaguars in London tomorrow. Ultimately, it sounds like Tagovailoa will be under center for his squad at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The former fifth-overall pick started nine of his 10 games last season, completing 64.1-percent of his passes for 1,814 yards, 11 touchdowns, and only five interceptions. He also added another 109 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. He threw a touchdown and rushed for another during the Dolphins’ Week 1 victory over the Patriots, and he completed one of his four pass attempts in Week 2 before exiting.
Jacoby Brissett has been filling in as the starting QB in Tua’s absence, throwing four touchdowns in three starts.
The Dolphins made two additional moves this morning, promoting wideouts Isaiah Ford and Kirk Merritt from the practice squad.
Dolphins Set Initial 53-Man Roster
The Dolphins have joined the club of teams to officially get down to 53 players on cutdown day. Here’s the list of of players from Miami that will be looking for new homes in the coming days:
Placed on season-ending IR:
Released:
- LB Josh Harvey-Clemons
- CB Cre’von LeBlanc
- OT Adam Pankey
- C Cameron Tom
Waived:
- CB Javaris Davis
- RB Gerrid Doaks
- CB Tino Ellis
- LB Shaquem Griffin
- LB Kylan Johnson
- DT Benito Jones
- RB Patrick Laird
- DE Jonathan Ledbetter
- WR Kai Locksley
- WR Kirk Merritt
- LB Calvin Munson
- TE Chris Myarick
- WR Malcolm Perry
- OG Durval Queiroz Neto
- RB Jordan Scarlett
- QB Reid Sinnett
- DE Jason Strowbridge
There are some reasonably big names on this list, including LeBlanc and Harvey-Clemons among the vested veterans getting outright released. LeBlanc played a sizable role in the Eagles’ secondary last season, and started nine games for the Bears as a rookie back in 2016. Harvey-Clemons was a decent-sized part of Washington’s defense in 2018, but his role was reduced in 2019 before he opted out of the 2020 seasons.
You’ll likely recognize some of the waiver cuts as well, including Griffin. The brother of star cornerback Shaquill Griffin, the linebacker was attempting to make the team after a few years with the Seahawks. Laird started four games for the Dolphins in 2019 and received 62 carries that year, but he was mainly a special teams guy last season.
NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/6/21
We’ll keep track of the latest reserve/futures deals here:
Arizona Cardinals
- TE Ian Bunting, G Deion Calhoun, DT Michael Dogbe, WR Rico Gafford, G Sean Harlow, WR Krishawn Hogan, K Brett Maher, G Koda Martin, S Chris Miller, DE Shareef Miller, RB Khalfani Muhammad, CB Picasso Nelson, DT David Parry, WR A.J. Richardson, LB Terrance Smith, LB Reggie Walker, WR JoJo Ward, LB Evan Weaver, WR Isaac Whitney, CB Jace Whittaker
Denver Broncos
Indianapolis Colts
- CB Nick Nelson, TE Jordan Thomas
Las Vegas Raiders
- TE Nick Bowers, K Dominik Eberle, DB Rashaan Gaulden, DE Gerri Green, OL Jaryd Jones-Smith, OL Erik Magnuson, LS Liam McCullough, LB James Onwualu, DT Niles Scott, OT Kamaal Seymour, CB Kemah Siverand, LB Javin White
Miami Dolphins
- DE Nick Coe, S Brian Cole, CB Javaris Davis, CB Tino Ellis, C Tyler Gauthier, LB Kylan Johnson, WR Kirk Merritt, TE Chris Myarick, OG Durval Queiroz Neto, DE Tyshun Render, QB Reid Sinnett, LS Rex Sunahara
New England Patriots
New York Giants
- RB Jordan Chunn
San Francisco 49ers
- TE Chase Harrell, DB Jared Mayden
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/31/20
Here are the minor moves from 2020’s final day:
Arizona Cardinals
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: S Chris Banjo
Atlanta Falcons
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: C Alex Mack
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed off Chiefs’ practice squad: P Johnny Townsend
- Activated from IR: DB Terrell Bonds
Cincinnati Bengals
- Placed on reserve/NFI list: C B.J. Finney
Denver Broncos
- Activated from IR: TE Jake Butt
- Placed on IR: DL Shelby Harris
Green Bay Packers
- Waived: DL Anthony Rush
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: P Logan Cooke
Los Angeles Chargers
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Keenan Allen
Miami Dolphins
- Promoted: WR Kirk Merritt, QB Jake Rudock
- Placed on IR: LB Elandon Roberts
New England Patriots
- Placed on IR: DE Tashawn Bower, LB Josh Uche
Philadelphia Eagles
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: S Jalen Mills
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/7/20
Here are Saturday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Activated from IR: TE Maxx Williams
- Promoted: DL Michael Dogbe, RB D.J. Foster, CB Jace Whittaker
- Waived: TE Jordan Thomas
Atlanta Falcons
- Activated from IR: CB Darqueze Dennard
- Promoted: LB Edmond Robinson, LB Pita Taumoepenu
- Placed on IR: CB Jordan Miller
Buffalo Bills
- Activated from IR: LB Del’Shawn Phillips
- Promoted: CB Dane Jackson, WR Jake Kumerow
Carolina Panthers
- Activated: DE Yetur Gross-Matos, RB Christian McCaffrey (story)
Chicago Bears
- Promoted: QB Tyler Bray, OL Dieter Eiselen, WR Dwayne Harris, DL Daniel McCullers, Badara Traore
Dallas Cowboys
- Placed on IR: P Chris Jones
- Promoted: P Hunter Niswander, RB Sewo Olonilua, QB Cooper Rush, CB Saivion Smith
Denver Broncos
- Promoted: S Alijah Holder
Detroit Lions
- Activated from reserve/PUP list: DE Austin Bryant
- Promoted: OL Marcus Martin
- Placed on IR: CB Darryl Roberts
Houston Texans
- Promoted: LB Nate Hall, DL Corey Liuget, OL Greg Mancz
Indianapolis Colts
- Activated from IR: LB Matthew Adams
- Promoted: WR Daurice Fountain, WR DeMichael Harris
- Placed on IR: WR Ashton Dulin
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Promoted: LB Joe Giles-Harris, S Doug Middleton, CB Josh Nurse
- Placed on IR: LB Shaquille Quarterman
Kansas City Chiefs
- Promoted: WR Gehrig Dieter, G Bryan Witzmann
Las Vegas Raiders
- Activated from IR: DT Daniel Ross
- Added to active roster: DE Chris Smith
- Waived: WR Rico Gafford
Los Angeles Chargers
- Promoted: RB Kalen Ballage, DE Jessie Lemonier, DB Quenton Meeks
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Brandon Facyson
Miami Dolphins
- Activated from IR: T Austin Jackson
- Promoted: WR Kirk Merritt
Minnesota Vikings
- Promoted: DT Abdullah Anderson, C Brett Jones
New York Giants
- Activated from IR: CB Brandon Williams
- Promoted: DB Montre Hartage, RB Alfred Morris, G Chad Slade
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Promoted: S Antoine Brooks, LB Jayrone Elliott
- Waived: RB Trey Edmunds, OL Stefen Wisniewski
Seattle Seahawks
- Activated from IR: DE Rasheem Green
- Promoted: RB Alex Collins, CB Jayson Stanley
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DL William Gholston
Tennessee Titans
- Promoted: WR Cameron Batson, CB Breon Borders, RB D’Onta Foreman, LS Matt Overton, LB Wyatt Ray, DL Teair Tart
- Placed on IR: CB Tye Smith
- Waived: OL Daniel Munyer
Washington Football Team
- Activated from IR: WR Steven Sims
- Promoted: WR Jeff Badet, OL Ross Pierschbacher
- Waived: DE Nate Orchard
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/4/20
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Waived: DT Miles Brown, WR Hakeem Butler, OL Sam Jones, P Ryan Winslow
- Waived/injured: OL Brett Toth
Atlanta Falcons
- Waived: DT Hinwa Allieu, FB Mikey Daniel, T Evin Ksiezarczyk, RB Craig Reynolds
Buffalo Bills
- Placed on IR: FB Patrick DiMarco
- Waived: LB Vosean Joseph, LB Corey Thompson
Carolina Panthers
- Released from IR via injury settlement: WR Tommylee Lewis
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: T Brady Aiello
Dallas Cowboys
- Released: OL Cody Wichmann
Detroit Lions
- Waived: WR Chris Lacy
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Released: DE Caraun Reid
- Waived: RB Nathan Cottrell, TE Matthew Flanagan, OL Blake Hance, OL K.C. McDermott, OL Garrett McGhin, LS Matthew Orzech, OL Ryan Pope, OL Austen Pleasants, WR Marvelle Ross
Los Angeles Rams
- Waived: DB Adonis Alexander, LB Daniel Bituli, TE Kendall Blanton, C Cohl Cabral, G Jamil Demby, WR Earnest Edwards, DB Jake Gervase, DB JuJu Hughes, RB John Kelly, G Jeremiah Kolone, WR J.J. Koski, DB Dayan Lake, DB Tyrique McGhee, LB Derrick Moncrief, WR Easop Winston
Miami Dolphins
- Waived: RB Salvon Ahmed, DB Nate Brooks, CB Breon Borders, DT Brandin Bryant, WR Matt Cole, T Jonathan Hubbard, G Danny Isidora, WR Kirk Merritt, TE Chris Myarick, CB Ken Webster, TE Nate Wieting
New York Jets
- Waived: LB James Burgess
Philadelphia Eagles
- Waived: DB Michael Jacquet, DE Matt Leo, TE Caleb Wilson
- Released: DT T.Y. McGill, CB Trevor Williams
San Francisco 49ers
- Released from IR via injury settlement: DE Jonathan Kongbo
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Waived: OL Zack Bailey, RB Ray Calais, ILB Noah Dawkins, S D’Cota Dixon, K Matt Gay (story), WR Cyril Grayson, S Javon Hagan, TE Tanner Hudson, DL Jeremiah Ledbetter, OL Nick Leverett, TE Codey McElroy, CB Herb Miller, WR Bryant Mitchell, RB Dare Ogunbowale, WR Josh Pearson, DL Benning Potoa’e, ILB Chapelle Russell, WR Spencer Schnell, QB Reid Sinnett, CB Mazzi Wilkins
Dolphins Add 10 UDFAs
The Dolphins announced a 10-man UDFA class Wednesday. Here is the full list:
- Matt Cole, WR (McKendree)
- Jonathan Hubbard, T (Northwestern State)
- Kylan Johnson, LB (Pittsburgh)
- Benito Jones, DT (Ole Miss)
- Nick Kaltmayer, T (Kansas State)
- Ray Lima, DT (Iowa State)
- Kirk Merritt, WR (Arkansas State)
- Tyshun Render, DE (Middle Tennessee)
- Donell Stanley, C (South Carolina)
- Bryce Sterk, DE (Montana State)
The Dolphins saw 2019 UDFA Preston Williams make an impact as a rookie and will give two more a shot. A Washington transfer, Sterk recorded a Division I-FCS-best 15 sacks last season. Cole averaged 21.8 yards per catch for his Division II program last season. Merritt, who also played at Oregon, caught 153 passes for 1,811 yards and 19 touchdowns between his junior and senior seasons at the FCS level.
Jones started three seasons for Ole Miss and led SEC nose tackles with 30 stops last season. He finished with 10.5 career sacks as well. Staley started three seasons for the Gamecocks, making 23 starts at center and 11 at left guard. The Dolphins will guarantee $65K of Render’s salary, with $15K coming via signing bonus, according to the Houston Chronicle’s Aaron Wilson (on Twitter). Render forced two fumbles and recorded 3.5 sacks last season.