Dolphins Add Eight Players to Finalize Practice Squad Roster

Roster Moves Finalized

The Miami Dolphins have officially locked down their practice squad with eight new players. The team released quarterback Mark Gronowski to make room for these incoming additions. This move reshapes the offensive depth chart right away. The flurry of activity follows a week of intense roster changes for the franchise.

According to The Phinsider, the Dolphins added Liam Anderson, Clelin Ferrell, Amari Gainer, Jordan Miller, Will Sheppard, Jaylin Simpson, Mazi Smith, and Tre Watson on Tuesday. The team must now see if these players can handle the hard work of the upcoming weeks against top competition.

Key Moves and Player Backgrounds

Clelin Ferrell returns to the team after a short and difficult time away. He was released on Monday as part of Miami’s roster moves after the team won seven waiver claims, but the Dolphins quickly brought him back to the practice squad. Ferrell arrived in Miami as a free agent during training camp this year, but he could not secure a spot on the active roster. The Oakland Raiders selected him in the first round of the 2019 draft. He also played for the San Francisco 49ers, Washington Commanders, and Los Angeles Chargers. His career stats show he has played in 98 games with 184 tackles and 12 passes defensed, proving he knows how to play at a high level.

On the other side of the ball, Liam Anderson arrives with a story of resilience and recent injury struggles. He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent from Holy Cross and initially signed with the Indianapolis Colts in 2023. After appearing late in his rookie year, Anderson spent most of that season on the Colts’ practice squad before returning to Indianapolis for the 2024 season, where he again remained largely on the practice squad. With four career games played exclusively on special teams, Anderson has established himself as a dependable choice for that specific unit.

The rest of the group includes Amari Gainer, Jordan Miller, Will Sheppard, Jaylin Simpson, Mazi Smith, and Tre Watson. These players fill out the depth across the defensive line and secondary. These moves suggest the coaching staff values specific skill sets over generic depth. The Dolphins are not just adding bodies; they are adding specific roles to the roster that were previously vacant or occupied by less proven options.

What This Means For Miami

The decision to bring back Ferrell immediately after releasing him shows the coaching staff has a specific need for his pass-rushing ability. It is rare for a team to waive a player and then claim their own practice squad spot so quickly, but it highlights the volatility of the current NFL landscape. Ferrell’s history as a first-round pick gives him a pedigree that the team clearly wants to leverage in practice and potential game situations. He is not just a warm body; he is a known quantity who understands the defensive schemes.

Anderson’s addition is a calculated risk given his injury history. The Dolphins need a linebacker who can contribute on special teams immediately, and Anderson’s four career games all on special teams suggest he fits that mold perfectly. However, the team must be cautious about his health. If he stays healthy, he provides essential depth that the team will need if the regular season grinds down. This isn’t just about filling a roster spot; it is about finding the right player for the right job, and the Dolphins are betting that Anderson can handle the physical demands of the NFL without breaking down again.

Next Steps On The Field

The immediate focus for these new players is to integrate into the practice squad routines and prepare for the upcoming week of practice. The Dolphins will need to monitor the health of Anderson closely while getting Ferrell up to speed with the current defensive schemes. There are no specific game dates mentioned in the reporting for these players, but the practice squad must be ready to contribute if injuries hit the active roster. The team will likely evaluate these additions during the week of practice to see if any can earn a promotion to the active squad before the next game.