Dolphins waive their team captain in shocking move

Lengthy was voted by his teammates to be a staff captain in Miami at the beginning of the season, making his midseason departure a shock after beginning six of the Dolphins’ eight video games this yr. Anthony Walker took over Lengthy’s beginning position within the final two video games, and the arrival of former Seahawks linebacker Tyrel Dodson via waivers made Lengthy surplus to necessities in Miami.

As an alternative, the Dolphins prioritized Stoll so as to add one other tight finish to their roster after Alec Ingold missed Monday night time’s recreation with a calf damage. The 2023 Professional Bowler performed 39% of the staff’s offensive snaps when wholesome this yr, constant along with his utilization since head coach Mike McDaniel‘s arrival in 2022. The Dolphins’ use of heavy personnel required them so as to add one other tight finish in case Ingold’s absence extends into Week 11.

Regardless of dropping his beginning job this season, Lengthy might nonetheless draw curiosity on waivers from a staff searching for linebacker depth. He was within the second yr of a two-year, $10M contract with the Dolphins signed throughout the 2023 offseason, per OverTheCap. Miami will eat a useless cap hit of a minimum of $2.21M — the 2024 prorated portion of his signing bonus — plus $444,444 in assured wage if Lengthy shouldn’t be claimed off waivers. If one other staff claims Lengthy, the Dolphins will owe him $2M for the remainder of the yr and they won’t be on the hook for his remaining assured wage. If Lengthy clears waivers, he’ll grow to be a free agent and may signal with no matter staff he likes, whereas Miami can have a $2.65M useless cap hit on their books.

The Eagles waived Stoll on Tuesday to make room on their 53-man roster for the activation of left sort out Jordan Mailata from injured reserve.