Dolphins Activate Kenneth Grant Ahead of Bengals Game

Dolphins Activate Kenneth Grant Ahead of Bengals Game

The Miami Dolphins will have one of their most important young defensive players back in the lineup as they prepare to face the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

On Saturday, the Dolphins officially announced that defensive tackle Kenneth Grant has been activated from injured reserve, clearing the way for the former first-round pick to make his 2026 regular-season debut.

Grant has missed Miami’s first four games because of a toe injury suffered during the preseason. His return comes at an important time for a Dolphins team seeking its first win after a 0-4 start.

To make room for Grant on the 53-man roster, Miami waived quarterback Brady Cook. The team also elevated edge rusher Rodney McGraw and running back Carlos Washington Jr. from the practice squad for Sunday’s game.

Kenneth Grant Returns After Missing First Four Games

Grant, whom Miami selected with the 13th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, was expected to be an important part of the Dolphins’ defensive line entering his second NFL season.

However, a toe injury interrupted his progress and forced him to begin the regular season on injured reserve.

The good news is that Grant made significant progress this past week. After being designated to return from injured reserve, he participated in all three practices leading up to the Bengals game. He was limited on Wednesday and Thursday before becoming a full participant on Friday.

Head coach Jeff Hafley had been encouraged by Grant’s development before the injury and expressed optimism about what the young defensive tackle could bring to the defense.

Hafley praised Grant’s quickness, instincts and potential to contribute against both the run and pass.

The Dolphins now hope Grant can pick up where he left off before the injury and provide an immediate boost to their defensive front.

A Much-Needed Addition to Miami’s Defensive Line

At 6-foot-3 and 326 pounds, Grant brings a powerful presence to the middle of Miami’s defense.

During his rookie season in 2025, Grant appeared in all 17 games, making five starts while recording 33 tackles, two sacks and one pass defended.

While those numbers weren’t necessarily eye-popping, Grant showed flashes of the physical tools that made him a first-round selection.

His size and strength give Miami another option to clog running lanes, occupy blockers, and create opportunities for the linebackers to make plays.

Grant also has the athletic ability to generate interior pressure, which could prove valuable against Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow.

Miami’s defense showed signs of improvement in last week’s loss to Minnesota, and getting Grant back should help the unit keep developing.

There may be some limitations on his workload after missing the first month of the season, but simply having Grant available gives the coaching staff another talented player to rotate into the defensive line.

Dolphins Looking for Grant to Become a Building Block

Beyond Sunday’s matchup, Grant’s return is significant for Miami’s long-term plans.

The Dolphins are in the early stages of building a young roster under general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley. Developing former first-round selections like Grant will be key to how quickly the franchise can turn things around.

Linebacker Jordyn Brooks recently expressed confidence in Grant’s abilities, saying the young defensive tackle has the talent to become a productive NFL player but needs time to develop and become comfortable in the system.

Brooks also praised how Grant looked in practice this week and said he’s excited to have him back on the field.

For Grant, the next step is turning that potential into consistent production.

The Dolphins don’t necessarily need him to dominate immediately against Cincinnati. However, they would certainly benefit from his ability to strengthen the interior defensive line and help create more favorable situations for the rest of the defense.

Miami Makes Additional Roster Moves

Grant’s activation wasn’t Miami’s only transaction Saturday.

The Dolphins waived quarterback Brady Cook, whom they claimed off waivers from the New York Jets on August 31. With Cook no longer on the roster, Kyle McCord becomes the lone backup quarterback behind starter Malik Willis.

Miami also elevated Rodney McGraw and Carlos Washington Jr. from the practice squad.

McGraw made his NFL debut against Minnesota last week, recording a quarterback hit and a special teams tackle. Washington provides additional running back depth with Jaylen Wright dealing with a foot injury.

These moves give Miami some additional flexibility as the team prepares for Sunday’s matchup.

A Positive Development Before the Bye Week

The Dolphins will host the Bengals on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET at Hard Rock Stadium before heading into their Week 6 bye.

At 0-4, Miami desperately needs something positive to build upon, and the return of Kenneth Grant certainly qualifies.

His activation doesn’t guarantee that Miami’s defensive struggles will disappear overnight, but it does return an important piece of the team’s young defensive foundation to the field.

For a franchise focused on developing its young talent and building toward the future, getting Grant healthy and playing meaningful snaps is an important step.

Now the Dolphins need their 2025 first-round pick to start showing why they invested in him.