Dolphins release Tart. Here’s where they stand at defensive tackle
Less than two weeks after saying they wanted to see more consistency from Teair Tart, the Dolphins released the veteran defensive tackle Tuesday, according to a league source.
The Dolphins signed Tart to bolster a run defense that seemed vulnerable after the departures of Christian Wilkins and Raekwon Davis.
The expectation was that Tart would compete with Benito Jones for the starting nose tackle job vacated by Davis’ move to the Indianapolis Colts.
But Jones got a leg up on Tart early in training camp and had held the first-team job until an injury sidelined Jones in recent days.
Tart — whose physical conditioning seemed to hold him back during the offseason program — missed practice Monday, for undisclosed reasons, and was released Tuesday. He did not play in the Dolphins’ preseason opener against Atlanta.
Tart “has some power to his game,” Dolphins defensive line coach Austin Clark said several days into training camp. “That’s definitely the thing that Teair has. The thing for him, right now, is consistency. Let’s eliminate the flash plays, and let’s be consistent in both the run game and the pass game.”
Apparently, that consistency was never established.
Tart, who attended FIU, has 79 tackles (16 for loss), 2.5 sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery in 47 career games, including 36 starts, for the Tennessee Titans, who released him last December.
Brandon Pili, Isaiah Mack and Jonathan Harris are now competing for the backup nose tackle job behind Jones, who started 15 games for Detroit last season.
Neville Gallimore, Da’Shawn Hand and Colorado rookie Leonard Payne also are competing for backup defensive tackle jobs behind starters Calais Campbell and Zach Sieler. Those three players -- plus Pili and Mack - had some good moments in the preseason game against Atlanta.
Campbell also should shift to nose tackle when needed.
This story was originally published August 13, 2024 at 10:18 AM.
