Dolphins claim a receiver, bring back veterans on the day after trimming roster to 53
The Dolphins claimed wide receiver Grant DuBose off waivers from the Green Bay Packers on Wednesday, Miami’s only immediate addition to the roster.
The Dolphins cut veteran offensive lineman Jack Driscoll to make room for DuBose.
DuBose, 6-2, was a 2023 seventh-round pick of the Packers out of North Carolina-Charlotte. He spent last season on the Packers’ practice squad and did not appear in a game.
A zero-star recruit, DeBose initially began his career at Division II Miles College before transferring to Charlotte. He had 64 catches for 792 yards and nine touchdowns as a senior in 2022. Over two seasons at Charlotte, DuBose had 126 receptions for 1,684 yards and 15 touchdowns in 24 games.
DuBose joins Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Braxton Berrios and Malik Washington as wide receivers on the Dolphins’ 53-man roster.
The Dolphins, who had the 21st choice in the waiver wire process on Wednesday, did not make a claim on any interior offensive lineman.
No Dolphins player released on Tuesday was claimed off waivers on Wednesday.
MORE MOVES
According to a source, the Dolphins plan to re-sign long snapper Blake Ferguson in the days ahead; he was released Tuesday in order to help facilitate a corresponding move. That corresponding move wasn’t immediately known, though it could involve placing a player on injured reserve, with the designation to return after four games.
Because Ferguson is a fifth-year veteran, he wasn’t subject to being claimed off waivers. He was cooperative with Miami’s plan to waive him and then re-sign him.
NEEDHAM BACK
Veteran cornerback Nik Needham plans to sign with the Dolphins’ practice squad after being released by the team on Tuesday, according to a league source.
Needham appeared in 61 games and started 27 for the Dolphins through five seasons; he had 199 tackles, six interceptions and three sacks.
He missed a full calendar year after an October 2022 torn Achilles. He came back and appeared in 10 games last season but had only 71 defensive snaps.
After being signed as an undrafted free agent out of UTEP in 2019, Needham played 89, 60 and 64 percent of the Dolphins’ defensive snaps in his first three seasons. He had been competing for a job at cornerback and safety.
The Dolphins ultimately decided to keep undrafted free agent Storm Duck and rookie safety Patrick McMorris on the roster ahead of Needham.
According to sources, other Dolphins who were released Tuesday who are joining Miami’s practice squad include receiver Erik Ezukanma, cornerback Isaiah Johnson, tight end Hayden Rucci, running back Anthony McFarland, guard Chasen Hines, linebacker Dequan Jackson, offensive lineman Chasen Hines, veteran defensive lineman Jonathan Harris and safety Jordan Colbert, among others.
New members of the practice squad include quarterback Tim Boyle, defensive tackle Naquan Jones and former Seattle receiver D’Wayne Eskridge, who had 17 catches for 122 yards in 17 career games for the Seahawks. Eskridge also averaged 25.2 yards on 17 kickoff returns.
DOLPHINS FIND NEW HOMES
At least two Dolphins who were released this week found new homes elsewhere:
Defensive lineman Neville Gallimore agreed to a deal with the Los Angeles Rams, according to ESPN.
And quarterback Mike White joined the Buffalo Bills’ practice squad.
This story was originally published August 28, 2024 at 12:49 PM.
