Dolphins wide receiver Allen Hurns opts out of 2020. Here’s what happens next
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Allen Hurns announced Tuesday afternoon he is opting out of the 2020 because of COVID-19.
The receiver made the announcement on Twitter and explained “it wasn’t an easy decision,” but he has a baby boy on the way and that helped convince him to not play this season.
Dolphins coach Brian Flores released a statement on the Hurns decision:
“I understand and completely support Allen’s decision,” Flores said. “It wasn’t an easy choice and I know he put a lot of thought into it. He had a conversation with the people closest to him and did what he felt was best for him and his family. I respect the process he went through and how he came to this decision. I wish him all the best and look forward to working with him next year.”
Hurns, 29 in November, is the first Dolphins player to opt out. Until Tuesday the Dolphins were one of a handful of teams without a player who had opted out.
Hurns was not guaranteed of being a starter this season but was expected to compete for playing time. Last season, Hurns played in 14 games with seven starts and was also inactive for two games. He caught 32 passes for 416 yards with two touchdowns.
The Dolphins obviously liked what they saw after they signed Hurns in July 2019 because they gave him a two-year, $7 million contract extension that went through the 2021 season.
That contract will now toll, meaning it is put on pause for this season. Hurns will now be signed with the Dolphins through the 2022 season.
The Dolphins may decide to seek veteran wide receiver help, but that is uncertain because the team has typically looked for younger players rather than older ones when a personnel need arises.
Nonetheless veterans Jermaine Kearse, Paul Richardson, Chris Hogan, and Jordan Matthews are available. Hogan, 31, has experience in offensive coordinator Chan Gailey’s offense.
Josh Gordon and Antonio Brown are expected to be available at some point this season — assuming they wish to continue their careers. Both are currently serving an NFL imposed suspension and must eventually apply for reinstatement once their suspensions lapse.
This story was originally published August 4, 2020 at 4:16 PM.
