Dolphins fill open spot with linebacker. Room still must be created for others
Austin Jackson apparently won’t be filling the Dolphins roster spot vacated by Jordan Colbert’s move to injured reserve last week.
While Jackson remains positioned to play Sunday against visiting New Orleans (1 p.m., Fox 7), Miami’s one open roster spot was filled Wednesday by inside linebacker Caleb Johnson, a special teams standout who has played only five NFL defensive snaps. Johnson has spent much of this season on the Dolphins’ practice squad.
That means another spot on the 53-man roster will need to be created to activate Jackson from injured reserve.
Johnson, a 6-2, 220-pound inside linebacker, has appeared in 65 career games in four seasons with Chicago (2021) and Jacksonville (2022-24), producing one tackle, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in addition to 37 special teams tackles. But while he has played 1157 snaps on special teams, his only five defensive snaps came in his rookie season (2021).
Johnson signed with Chicago in 2021 as an undrafted free agent out of Houston Christian. He fills the roster spot of Colbert, who was put on IR after sustaining a stinger against Washington.
Meanwhile, Jackson is close to a return from a toe injury that has sidelined him since Week 2.
“He’s not only a really good player but he adds value to all those around him with his consistency, talent and aggressiveness,” McDaniel said.
McDaniel said every player on 53 man roster would practice to some extent Wednesday. Two players who have been designated to return from the injured list — Jackson and tight end Darren Waller — also were expected to practice.
The Dolphins have another seven days to active Jackson, if they choose to be extra cautious, and 21 days to activate Waller. Quarterback coach Darrell Bevell suggested that the Dolphins would be patient with Waller.
Johnson’s spot on the practice squad was filled by former Army linebacker Jimmy Ciarlo, who appeared in one game for Buffalo earlier this season.
This story was originally published November 26, 2025 at 12:39 PM.
