The Miami Dolphins have been very active once again today before Saturday’s 53-man roster deadline.
Miami informed wide receivers Chester Rogers and Ricardo Louis that they’re no longer needed on the Dolphins. It also promoted WR Preston Williams to the team’s No. 2 WR, making DeVante Parker, Williams and Isaiah Ford the team’s starting receiving corps with under two weeks before the season opener.
“On the 53(-man roster), we’ve got a lot of competition on this team at various positions. There’s probably – let’s call it 60 players that we feel good about, and probably a little bit more than that when you start talking about practice squad spots as well,” head coach Brian Flores said. “There’s 16 practice squad spots this season. As far as who the 53 are, I kind of look at it as who the 69 are, to be honest with you.”
Dolphins Cut Ricardo Louis Again
Louis re-signed with the Dolphins in early August after originally joining the team on April 8, 2019. He remained on injured reserve for that entire season and never took the field officially as a Miami wideout.
He has played in 32 career games (12 starts) with the Cleveland Browns from 2016-18. There, Louis snagged 45 receptions for 562 yards. The former 114th overall draft pick has zero career touchdowns and has been heavily plagued by injuries. In addition to missing the entire 2019 season in South Beach, Louis also missed all of 2018 with the Browns with a different injury.
Louis: Potential Long Shot to Make Roster
Louis was a long shot to make the final 53-man roster on Saturday but has been brought back multiple times by Miami. Even with WRs Albert Wilson and Allen Hurns opting out, the Dolphins are looking to be going with wideouts Isaiah Ford (currently No. 3), Gary Jennings and Mack Hollins instead.
Miami Signs Andy Jones Amidst Cuts
Additionally, the Dolphins just re-signed WR Andy Jones, who will now be in his third stint with Miami. He spent the first two on the Dolphins practice squad in 2019 and originally entered the league as an undrafted free agent to the Dallas Cowboys in 2017. Jones has also spent time with the Detroit Lions (2017-19) and Houston Texans (2017).
Jones may be reverted back down to the practice squad again in 2020 with the Dolphins likely still planning to slim down its WR room. He could be joined there with fellow Miami undrafted signees Kirk Merritt and Matt Cole who have yet to be cut, but are on the outside looking in to make the team.
Dolphins Cut Chester Rogers
Miami also signed Rogers after his time with the Indianapolis Colts ended this offseason.
Rogers joined the Dolphins on Aug. 12 to help fill the void of Wilson’s and Hurns’ absence this season in the short-field. He wasn’t expected to compete to be a top-three WR for the team, but would fill the role for specific plays.
Rogers had his best season in 2018 with the Colts, finishing with career-highs in receptions (53), receiving yards (485) and TDs (2). However, his injury problems and declining catch percentage likely led to his release. The veteran currently sits at an abysmal 64.9-percent.
Other Team News
Miami waived three players on the opposite side of the ball today, handing out pink slips to safety Jeremiah Dinson, defensive end Avery Moss and cornerback Deatrick Nichols.
Dinson Joined Dolphins Off Waivers
The Dolphins were awarded Dinson off waivers on Aug. 15 after he entered the league as an undrafted college free agent with Detroit in May.
He was a three-year letterman at the University of Auburn, playing in 48 games with 36 starts. He had 214 tackles (129 solo), four sacks, four interceptions, two forced fumbles and 12 passes defended.
Moss On, Off Miami’s Roster
Moss had his second stint of this offseason with Miami last just four days after he rejoined the Dolphins on Aug. 27. He originally joined the team a year ago to the day after being awarded off waivers from the New York Giants.
The former fifth-round pick played in 11 games with eight starts for Miami last season and recorded 25 tackles (11 solo). Moss also forced one fumble.
Former XFL Starter Cut By Miami
Nichols signed with the Dolphins on Aug. 13 after spending time with the New Orleans Saints (2020) and the Arizona Cardinals (2018-19). He appeared in just two games for the Cardinals, but is most known for his time in the XFL with the Houston Roughnecks earlier this spring. He had 24 tackles (16 solo) in the XFL, along with one sack and six passes defensed.
The Dolphins will continue to be active in the coming days before the final roster deadline.
“We’re going to have to release some of those guys and hope that we get them back on the practice squad. But yeah, I’ve got a pretty good idea of who the 69 players are,” Flores said.
Editor’s Note: Jeremiah Dinson does not have a player profile on profootballreference.com, the site FPC Dolphins uses to highlight players.
– Kayla Morton is the Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage Miami Dolphins. Like and follow on Follow @northdakayla74 Follow @FPC_Dolphins and Facebook.
