Dolphins Cut Jonas Gray, Add Mostert
The Dolphins announced a number of moves today (Twitter links), headlined by the release of running back Jonas Gray, who was a member of their taxi squad. Miami has also waived center Sam Brenner while re-signing center/guard Jacques McClendon. Meanwhile, the club has also signed running back/kick returner Raheem Mostert off of the Eagles’ taxi squad and on to their own 53-man roster, per agent Brett Tessler (on Twitter).
It was a quick trip through South Beach for Gray. The tailback was waived by the Patriots on September 5th and three days later, he found a home on the Dolphins’ practice squad. On Friday, he was promoted by the club to the 53-man roster. Days later, he’s in limbo once again. Gray emerged as a potential starter during his 201-yard, four-touchdown performance against the Colts during the 2014 season, but was leapfrogged on the Pats depth chart by LeGarrette Blount and others down the stretch.
The Eagles tried to trade Mostert to Dolphins and other clubs before he was initially waived by the team, Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer tweets. Mostert, a UDFA out of Purdue, led the NFL in yards from the line of scrimmage in the preseason with 351 all-purpose yards.
In addition to the moves above, the Dolphins also confirmed the previously reported release of LaMike James and the 53-man roster addition of tight end Jake Stoneburner, who was previously on their practice squad.
Dolphins Promote Jonas Gray, Cut Logan Thomas
A pair of notable young players are involved in the Dolphins’ latest series of transactions, as the team prepares for its Week 1 contest in Washington. Agent Sean Stellato tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link) that Miami is promoting running back Jonas Gray to its 53-man roster from the practice squad. To make room for Gray, the club has waived quarterback Logan Thomas, tweets Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald.
Gray’s release last weekend came as a surprise to many as he figured to be a part of the Patriots’ run game this season. He emerged as a potential starter during his 201-yard, four-touchdown performance against the Colts in the regular season, but was leapfrogged on the depth chart by LeGarrette Blount and others down the stretch. The Dolphins added Gray to their practice squad earlier this week, after he cleared waivers.
As for Thomas, the Dolphins claimed him off waivers from the Cardinals on Sunday, and it looked like the team would start the season with three quarterbacks on its roster. Instead, the Fins could look to add him to their practice squad, if he sneaks through waivers this time around.
According to Salguero (via Twitter), the Dolphins have also promoted offensive lineman Sam Brenner from their taxi squad, cutting guard Jacques McClendon to make room on the roster.
Sunday NFL Transactions: AFC East
Listed below are the Sunday roster moves for the four AFC East teams. Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline yesterday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters, claiming players off waivers or signing guys who clear waivers. Those transactions for the Bills, Dolphins, Patriots, and Jets are noted below.
Additionally, as of 11:00am today, teams can begin constructing their 10-man practice squads. For the 2014 and 2015 seasons, changes were made to practice squad rules that allow teams to carry eight players instead of 10, and the eligibility requirements for those extra two spots were also loosened. You can check out our glossary entry on practice squads to brush up on those changes, as well as all the other guidelines that govern the 10-man units, whose players practice with the team but aren’t eligible to suit up on Sundays.
Here are Sunday’s AFC East transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day:
Buffalo Bills
- Claimed off waivers:
- C Gabe Ikard (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson)
- Signed to practice squad:
- WR Dezmin Lewis (Twitter link via Mike Rodak)
- S Jonathan Meeks (Twitter link via Rodak)
- G Cyril Richardson (Twitter link via Rodak)
- LB Kevin Riddick (Twitter link via Rodak)
- CB Jaylen Watkins (Twitter link via Rodak)
- RB Cierre Wood (Twitter link via Rodak)
Miami Dolphins
- Signed:
- Claimed off waivers:
- QB Logan Thomas (link)
- Signed to practice squad:
- QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson (Twitter link via James Walker)
- C Sam Brenner (Twitter link via David Canter)
- DT Deandre Coleman (Twitter link via Adam Beasley)
- LB Mike Hull (Twitter link via Armando Salguero)
- TE Tim Semisch (Twitter link via Salguero)
- WR Jake Stoneburner (Twitter link via Barry Jackson)
- S Cedric Thompson (Twitter link via Jackson)
- OL Audrey Walker (Twitter link via Jackson)
New England Patriots
- Claimed off waivers:
- DT Khyri Thornton (Twitter link via Ian Rapoport)
- DT Khyri Thornton (Twitter link via Ian Rapoport)
- Cut:
- T Cameron Fleming (Twitter link via Mike Reiss)
- Signed to practice squad:
- TE Asante Cleveland (Twitter link via Jeff Howe)
- WR Kenbrell Thompkins (Twitter link via Rand Getlin)
New York Jets
- Signed:
- WR Chris Owusu (Twitter link via Manish Mehta)
- Claimed off waivers:
- S Ronald Martin (Twitter link via Mehta)
- Cut:
- S Rontez Miles (Twitter link via Rich Cimini)
- Signed to practice squad (press release):
- LB Deion Barnes
- FB Julian Howsare
- LB Taiwan Jones
- CB Keon Lyn
- WR Walter Powell
- TE Wes Saxton
- T Wesley Johnson (Twitter link via Adam Caplan)
- DL Jordan Williams
Dolphins Pare Roster Down To 53
The Dolphins removed 20 players from their roster in order to reach the mandated 53-man limit, with the most notable of the team’s releases coming at kicker.
Caleb Sturgis will not begin a third season as the Dolphins’ kicker, as Andrew Franks won competition for the spot, according to the team’s website.
In going with rookie undrafted free agent Franks over Sturgis, a third-year veteran, it marks the first time in eight years Miami will deploy two new specialists. Rookie Matt Darr supplanted eight-year punter Brandon Fields, a 2013 Pro Bowler, earlier this week.
Sturgis missed eight kicks in each of his two campaigns.
Miami’s additional cuts are as follows:
- Damarr Aultman, WR
- McLeod Bethel-Thompson, QB
- Sam Brenner, C
- Deandre Coleman, DT
- James Davidson, LB
- Emmanuel Dieke, DE
- Mike Gillislee, RB
- Cobi Hamilton, WR
- Donald Hawkins, T
- Mike Hull, LB
- Anthony Johnson, DT
- Christion Jones, WR (Waived/injured)
- Don Jones, S
- Mike Liedtke, G/T
- Jeff Luc, LB
- Jordan Tripp, LB
- Cedric Thompson, S
- Jake Stoneburner, TE
- Tim Semisch, TE
- Aundrey Walker, T
Dolphins Promote Two Players To Roster
As the Dolphins prepare to close their 2014 season against the Jets this Sunday, the team has tweaked its 53-man roster, calling on replacements at two spots. According to the team (Twitter links), offensive lineman Nate Garner has been placed on the reserve/non-football injury list, while cornerback Jamar Taylor has been put on injured reserve. Center Sam Brenner and defensive tackle Deandre Coleman will take their spots, having been promoted from the practice squad.
Brenner, who played seven games for the Dolphins last season, had spent the entire 2014 campaign on the team’s practice squad. Coleman, who started the season with the Jaguars’ practice squad, has been with Miami – either on the team’s active roster or taxi squad – since late September.
The series of transactions leaves the Dolphins with three openings on their practice squad, so we’ll see if more moves are coming later this week.
Sunday/Monday Transactions: AFC East
Listed below are the Sunday roster moves for the four AFC East teams. Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline yesterday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters, claiming players off waivers or signing guys who clear waivers. Those transactions are noted below.
Additionally, as of 11:00am CT today, teams can begin constructing their 10-man practice squads. For the 2014 and 2015 seasons, changes were made to practice squad rules that allow teams to carry eight players instead of 10, and the eligibility requirements for those extra two spots were also loosened. You can check out our glossary entry on practice squads to brush up on those changes, as well as all the other guidelines that govern the 10-man units, whose players practice with the team but aren’t eligible to suit up on Sundays.
Here are Sunday’s AFC East transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day:
Buffalo Bills:
- Signed to practice squad (officially announced): Deon Broomfield, S (via Mike Rodak on Twitter); Jimmy Gaines, LB (via Rodak on Twitter); Caleb Holley, WR (via Rodak on Twitter); Ike Igbinosun, DE (via Aaron Wilson on Twitter); Bryan Johnson, DE (via Rodak on Twitter); Kenny Ladler, DB (via Rodak on Twitter); Jeff Tuel, QB (via Rodak on Twitter); D.J. Morrell, G and Lonnie Pryor, FB (via Rodak on Twitter)
Miami Dolphins:
- Claimed off waivers (officially announced): Brandian Ross, S (via Adam Beasley on Twitter); Sammy Seamster, CB (via Aaron Wilson on Twitter)
- Cut: Don Jones, S (via Beasley on Twitter); Damian Williams, WR (via Beasley on Twitter)
- Signed to practice squad (officially announced): Sam Brenner, C (via Wilson on Twitter); Jacob Maxwell, TE (via Dave Birkett on Twitter); Tommy Streeter, WR (via Armando Salguero on Twitter), Matt Hazel, WR; Tony Hills, OT; David Hinds, LB; Seth Lobato, QB, D’Aundre Reed, DE; Lowell Rose, CB; Garrison Smith, DT
New England Patriots:
- Traded: Ryan Mallett, QB (link)
- Claimed off waivers (officially announced): Bruce Gaston, DT; Kelcy Quarles, DT
- Cut (officially announced): Chris White, LB
- Signed to practice squad: McLeod Bethel-Thompson, QB (Adam Caplan on Twitter); Ja’Gared Davis, OLB (via Doug Kyed on Twitter); Jonas Gray, RB (via Mark Daniels on Twitter)
New York Jets:
- Claimed off waivers: Leon McFadden, CB (via Rand Getlin on Twitter)
- Cut: LeQuan Lewis, CB (via Manish Mehta on Twitter)
- Signed to practice squad (officially announced): Matt Simms, QB (via Seth Walder on Twitter), Daryl Richardson, RB; Chris Pantale, TE; Brent Qvale, OT; Tevita Finau, DL; Kerry Hyder, DL; Rontez Miles, S.
Dolphins Bring Roster To 53
4:42pm: The Dolphins have whittled their roster down to 53 players, but the most important news to come out of Miami is that center Mike Pouncey, who is dealing with a hip injury, will be placed on the active roster rather than on the PUP or IR designated to return list. Pouncey will probably still miss some time, but he’ll be eligible to play as soon as he is healthy. The following players have been waived per a press release:
- Isaako Aaitui (DT)
- Kyle Miller (TE)
- D’Aundre Reed (DE)
- Jake Rogers (K)
- Evan Wilson (TE)
12:38pm: Following the Dolphins signing of Knowshon Moreno, it didn’t look particularly good for running back Daniel Thomas. Once it was clear that Moreno and Lamar Miller were the top backs on the roster, it looked even worse for the 26-year-old.
Well, as Andrew Abramson of the Palm Beach Post reports (via Twitter), the Dolphins have cut ties with Thomas. It wasn’t that long ago that he compiled 165 carries as a rookie, so there’s a chance a team may take a flyer on him.
The Dolphins also let go of 13 other players. The complete list is below:
- Kevin Fogg (CB) (via Adam Beasley on Twitter)
- Daniel Thomas (RB)
- Marcus Thigpen (WR) (via Andrew Abramson on Twitter)
- David Arkin (OL) (via Barry Jackson on Twitter)
- Matt Hazel (WR) (via Barry Jackson on Twitter)
- Kevin Cone (WR) (via Jackson on Twitter)
- Andrew Wilson (LB) (via Jackson on Twitter)
- Seth Lobato (QB) (via Jackson on Twitter)
- Jordan Kovacs (S) (via Jackson on Twitter)
- Tevin Mims (DE) (via Jackson on Twitter)
- Garrison Smith (DT) (via Jackson on Twitter)
- Sam Brenner (OL) (via Aaron Wilson on Twitter)
- Evan Finkenberg (OL) (via Jackson on Twitter)
- Tony Hills (OL) (via Jackson on Twitter)
The Dolphins have also informed defensive tackle Kemal Johnson that he will be placed on injured reserve (via Jackson’s Twitter).
