Here is Dolphins’ plan after kicker auditions. And who was missing from practice
The Dolphins, faced with life without former Pro Bowl kicker Jason Sanders for at least a month, auditioned four veteran kickers on Tuesday and expressed an interest in signing Riley Patterson after the workout was done, according to a source.
Patterson impressed the Dolphins during a workout that also featured veteran NFL kickers Greg Joseph, Eddy Piniero and Zane Gonzalez.
The Dolphins privately indicated a desire to sign Patterson (either to the practice squad or active roster) unless an unexpected option surfaces in the next day or two.
Undrafted out of Memphis in 2021, Patterson has kicked for Detroit, Jacksonville, Cleveland, the Jets and Atlanta. He has made 63 of 74 career field goal attempts (including 4 for 7 for Atlanta last season) and 109 of 113 extra points.
He spent three games with the Falcons last season and one with the Browns. He had his most success with the Jaguars in 2022, when he made 30 of 35 field goals. He hit 15 of 17 field goals for Detroit in 2023.
Sanders is expected to miss at least a month because of a hip injury, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
INJURY UPDATE
Among injured Dolphins who missed Tuesday’s practice: Sanders, receiver Tyreek Hill (oblique; his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said on WSVN 7 that will be ready for the Sept. 7 opener at the Colts); running backs De’Von Achane (calf) and Jaylen Wright (leg); offensive linemen Austin Jackson (coach Mike McDaniel said he expects him back for the opener) and Liam Eichenberg (on the physically unable to perform list) and Andrew Meyer; tight end Darren Waller (working back slowly from the PUP list) and cornerbacks Ethan Bonner (hamstring) and Kendall Sheffield (undisclosed). [Update: Sheffield was released.]
Linebacker Channing Tindall, who was injured late in the third preseason game, also wasn’t spotted at practice. [Update: Tindall was released.]
Injured safeties Ashtyn Davis and Dante Trader Jr. worked to the side.
Several other Dolphins were not at practice because they were released, according to multiple sources. That group included outside linebacker Mo Kamara, cornerback Cornell Armstrong, linebacker Dequan Jackson, defensive lineman Alex Huntley and offensive linemen Ryan Hayes, Braeden Daniels and Josh Priebe.
It was not immediately clear why tight end Hayden Rucci and cornerback Cam Smith were not seen at practice. [Update: Smith made the initial 53-man roster; Rucci was cut.]
Among bubble players who practiced with the team on Tuesday, suggesting they will be kept around: cornerback Isaiah Johnson; offensive linemen Daniel Brunskill and Kion Smith; receivers Tahj Washington and Dee Eskridge; tight end Tanner Conner; safety Jordan Colbert and defensive lineman Matthew Butler. [Update: All of these players made the team.]
NFL teams must reduce their rosters from 90 to 53 by 4 p.m. Tuesday.
Here’s our live blog with the Dolphins’ cuts.
Here’s our piece on the Dolphins’ signing of cornerback Rasul Douglas.
This story was originally published August 26, 2025 at 2:49 PM.
