Dolphins on Tuesday, August 27, released the list of 53 players who will defend Miami’s colors in the 2024 season, after coach Mike McDaniel had to make tough decisions to finish putting it together.
Perhaps the toughest was getting rid of safety Nik Needham, who has been one of the team’s best-undrafted success stories since his arrival on May 9, 2019.
Also, a difficult decision was to waive injured running back Chris Brooks after a solid preseason, although he may have a chance to return once he fully recovers.
McDaniel announced that he would wait until the last minute to select his 53 men, which speaks volumes about how complicated the task has been… and so he did.
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He had previously decided on quarterback Skylar Thompson as a replacement for starter Tua Tagovailoa after releasing Mike White.
Others who have been released include wide receivers Je’Quan Burton, Mike Harley Jr., Jadon Janke, and Kyric McGowa; linebacker Curtis Bolton; offensive linemen Matthew Jones and Chasen Hines; cornerbacks Isaiah Johnson and Jason Maitre; safety Jordan Colbert and defensive tackles Robert Cooper, Neville Gallimore, Leonard Payne, Isaiah Mack, and Isaiah Mack.
The Dolphins had until 4 p.m. Tuesday to decide whether the four athletes currently on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list would come off the list and be available for Week 1, or sit out at least the first 4 matches of the season.
“Isaiah Wynn, Cam Goode, and Bradley Chubb will start the season on PUP,” McDaniel said.
The funny thing is that wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is left in an undetermined state.
Wynn, Goode, and Chubb finished the 2023 season on injured reserve. Beckham Jr. will ultimately remain on the Players Unfit to Perform (PUP) list at the start of the regular season, which will keep him sidelined for the first four games.
The team knew when it signed Beckham Jr. in May that this was a possibility because of an off-season procedure he had.
He’s worked hard to get back, but the team believes it’s best for him to have a few more weeks to get used to game action and be healthy for the rest of the season.
This is the list of 53 players
Quarterbacks (2): Tua Tagovailoa and Skylar Thompson
Running backs (4): Raheem Mostert, Devon Achane, Jaylen Wright, Jeff Wilson Jr.
Wide Receivers: (4) Tyreek Hill, Braxton Berrios, Jaylen Waddle, Malik Washington (R).
Tight Ends (4): Jonnu Smith, Durham Smythe, Julian Hill, Tanner Conner.
Fullback (1): Alec Ingold.
Offensive Line (10): OT Terron Armstead, OG Lester Cotton, C Aaron Brewer (injured), OG Isaiah Wynn (PUP), OT Austin Jackson, OG/C Liam Eichenberg, OG Robert Jones, OT Patrick Paul ( R), OT Kendall Lamm, OT/OG Jack Driscoll.
Cornerbacks (6): Jalen Ramsey, Kendall Fuller, Kader Kohou, Ethan Bonner, Siran Neal and Sturn Duck.
Safeties (5): Jevon Holland, Jordan Poyer, Marcus Maye, Elijah Campbell, Patrick McMorris (R).
Linebackers (10): Jordyn Brooks, David Long Jr. (injured), Anthony Walker Jr. (injured), Duke Riley, Channing Tindall, Jaelan Phillips, Emmanuel Ogbah, Chop Robinson (R), Quinton Bell, Mohamed Kamara (R).
Defensive Line (5): Zach Sieler, Calais Campbell, Da’Shawn Hand, Benito Jones (injured) and Brandon Pili.
Special Teams (2): K Jason Sanders, P Jake Bailey.
