The Miami Dolphins make moves to reach the 53-man roster limit. They sign CB Rasul Douglas but cut draft picks Erik Ezukanma and Channing Tindall.
MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Dolphins added much-needed experience to their secondary on NFL cut-down day by signing cornerback Rasul Douglas while parting with two recent draft picks who never could gain a foothold: linebacker Channing Tindall and receiver Erik Ezukanma.
The Dolphins had to meet the NFL’s 53-man roster limit by 4 p.m. on Aug. 26 (click here for the Dolphins' up-to-date roster).
Placekicker Jason Sanders was placed on injured reserve, which means he will miss a minimum of four games with a reported hip injury. Offensive lineman Andrew Meyer also was placed on IR. Offensive lineman Liam Eichenberg was placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list.
One player who was on the bubble but survived was cornerback Cam Smith. The third-year veteran has been a source of unusually blunt frustration from the Dolphins, who cited his lack of production and string of nagging injuries.
Deep in training camp, Smith outlined the vision he had for his 2025 season. “Definitely going to make a huge contribution,” he said.
Rasul Douglas brings experience to secondary
Early in the day came news that the Dolphins had signed Douglas, who turns 30 on Aug. 29, to a one-year contract for $3 million. Douglas is a veteran of 120 NFL games, bringing experience to a secondary lacking it. He’ll compete with players such as Storm Duck and Jack Jones for playing time.
“He’s a great player,” Duck said. “Having that veteran experience would be huge for our room. We’re a really young room and having a guy that’s been through pretty much every part of football and the NFL would be really good for us.”
Douglas started 15 games for Buffalo last season but ranked 102 out of 116 cornerbacks in Pro Football Focus’ grades. He made a game-clinching interception against Tua Tagovailoa in Green Bay’s 26-20 win over the Dolphins on Christmas Day in 2022.
For now, the Dolphins are carrying 24 players on offense and 27 on defense (excluding Douglas) but only two specialists (punter Jake Bailey and long snapper Joe Cardona). They're holding tryouts for a fill-in kicker while Sanders recovers. When they settle on one, they'll be forced to make a corresponding move to remain at 53 players, plus make room for Douglas.
Tindall and Ezukanma were back-to-back picks in the third and fourth rounds in 2022. With three high picks going to Kansas City in the Tyreek Hill trade, Tindall and Ezukanma represented the draft class’ best hopes to stick. Now, only seventh-rounder Cameron Goode, a linebacker, remains. In fact, Goode, Smith and running back De’Von Achane are the only players the Dolphins still have from the 2022 and 2023 drafts.
All eight of Miami Dolphins' 2025 draft picks make roster
On the brighter side, all eight of this year’s draft picks are on the 53, including seventh-rounders Quinn Ewers, a quarterback, and Zeek Biggers, a defensive tackle. Ewers, from Texas, performed so well in training camp that the Dolphins apparently determined they couldn’t risk stashing him on the practice squad, where any team would be free to sign him.
As it stands, the Dolphins are looking at entering the Sept. 7 opener at Indianapolis while carrying six wide receivers, including two drafted late last year: Malik Washington, a sixth-rounder, and Tahj Washington, a seventh-rounder. Both had impressive performances throughout training camp and the preseason.
Players receiving attention this preseason, but ultimately falling short of making the roster, include receiver Theo Wease Jr., defensive tackle Matt Dickerson, linebacker Quinton Bell, edge rusher Derrick McLendon, linebacker Grayson Murphy, cornerback Mike Hilton and tight end Pharaoh Brown.
Cut-down day also was unkind to linebacker Mo Kamara, a fifth-round pick last year. Kamara was inactive for all but five games last season, quietly settling into the background after making bold predictions when he arrived.
“Once I make the team, I’m here forever,” Kamara said in May 2024.
Throughout the NFL on this cut-down day, players were reminded of one harsh reality of this league: Nothing lasts forever.
Players released by Miami Dolphins
Cornerback Cornell Armstrong, linebacker Quinton Bell, running back Mike Boone, tight end Pharaoh Brown, tackle Jackson Carman, cornerback Cameron Dantzler Sr., defensive tackle Matt Dickerson, cornerback Mike Hilton, tight end Chris Myarick and cornerback Kendall Sheffield.
Players placed on waivers by Miami Dolphins
The team also waived cornerback BJ Adams, wide receiver Andrew Armstrong, offensive lineman Mason Brooks, offensive lineman Braeden Daniels, wide receiver Erik Ezukanma, tackle Ryan Hayes, wide receiver AJ Henning, defensive tackle Alex Huntley, linebacker Dequan Jackson, linebacker Mohamed Kamara, offensive lineman Jalen McKenzie, linebacker Derrick McLendon, safety Patrick McMorris, linebacker Grayson Murphy, offensive lineman Josh Priebe, cornerback Ethan Robinson, tight end Hayden Rucci, safety John Saunders Jr., running back Aaron Shampklin, defensive tackle Ben Stille, linebacker Channing Tindall, wide receiver Theo Wease Jr. and offensive lineman Addison West; waived/injured tackle Bayron Matos,and waived/injury settlementlinebacker Eugene Asante.
Other roster moves by Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins moved offensive lineman Liam Eichenberg to the reserve/physically unable to perform list and placed offensive lineman Andrew Meyer and kicker Jason Sanders on the injured reserve list. The team listed Meyer and Sanders as designated for return.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins add Rasul Douglas, drop Channing Tindall, reach limit of 53
Category: Football
