The Miami Dolphins released or waived a dozen players Monday, with one big name standing above the rest: running back Sony Michel, who was the most accomplished back in a crowded room.
Miami Dolphins release running back Sony Michel
The move ends Michel’s time with the Dolphins after just four months and brings clarity to a running back competition that was the team’s deepest in recent memory.
Michel was clearly behind Chase Edmonds (the expected RB1) and Raheem Mostert (RB2) in the pecking order, leaving him in a camp battle with incumbents Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmad for one or two roster spots.
But Michel — who still is just 27 years old — didn’t have the same impact in the many practices attended by PFN this summer. And he was clearly the least effective of the three in preseason games. Michel managed just 13 yards on nine carries this preseason.
As a result, Michel is out of a job — and could have a hard time finding a new one. The Dolphins also cut second-year back Gerrid Doaks, a seventh-round pick in 2021 who never appeared in a game with the team that drafted him.
Gaskin was the team’s leading rusher in the preseason (14 carries for 78 yards), while Ahmed averaged 4.5 yards per carry in limited action. It would not be a surprise if the Dolphins kept them both on their opening day roster. Gaskin and Ahmed were the team’s No. 1 and 3 rushers in 2021.
More Miami Dolphins roster moves
In all, the Dolphins either cut or waived 12 players: Michel, OL Adam Pankey, WR Mohamed Sanu Sr., DB Quincy Wilson, OL Blaise Andries, DL Owen Carney Jr., Doaks, CB Elijah Hamilton, DT Niles Scott, RB ZaQuandre White, Darius Hodge (waived/injured), and defensive back D’Angelo Ross (waived/injured). The Dolphins also placed linebacker Calvin Munson on injured reserve.
The series of moves left them at 68 players with less than 24 hours before the 53-man roster league deadline. Among those still formally a part of the club: WR Preston Williams, whom the Dolphins are trying to trade but will likely cut if they cannot.
Meanwhile, the team also will need to make room for Byron Jones, assuming they activate him of the physically unable perform list before 4 p.m. Tuesday, as has always been the plan. If not, he will be ineligible to play the first four weeks of the season.