Miami Dolphins sign Merritt to futures contract
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January 7, 2021
Miami Dolphins sign Merritt to futures contract
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins today announced they have signed wide receiver Kirk Merritt to a reserve/futures contract.
Merritt made his NFL debut on Nov. 8, 2020 at Arizona but did not record any statistics. He spent the rest of the season on Miami’s practice squad after originally entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Dolphins on April 29, 2020. Merritt earned first-team All-Sun Belt honors as a junior (2018) and senior (2019) at Arkansas State and led the conference in receptions (83) and receiving yards (1,005) in 2018.
| No. |
Name |
Pos. |
Hgt. |
Wgt. |
Birthdate |
Exp. |
College |
Hometown |
Acq. |
| 83 |
Kirk Merritt |
WR |
6-0 |
214 |
1/5/97 |
R |
Arkansas State ’20 |
Destrehan, La. |
FA, ‘20 |
Miami Dolphins mutually part ways with Hobby
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January 7, 2021
Miami Dolphins mutually part ways with Hobby
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins today announced that they have mutually parted ways with defensive line coach Marion Hobby.
Hobby just finished his second season with the Dolphins and his sixth as an NFL coach. He also spent time with Jacksonville (2017-18) and New Orleans (2006-07). Prior to joining the Jaguars in 2017, Hobby spent six seasons (2011-16) at Clemson as the team’s co-defensive coordinator and defensive ends coach.
Miami Dolphins announce Gailey’s resignation
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January 6, 2021
Miami Dolphins announce Gailey’s resignation
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins today announced that offensive coordinator Chan Gailey has resigned.
“I want to thank Chan for all of his hard work and dedication in what was a unique year,” Head Coach Brian Flores said. “He played an important role on the staff and in the development of our young roster. I wish him all the best.”
Gailey just finished his 21st season as an NFL coach and his second tenure with the Dolphins. Gailey has also served as head coach for the Buffalo Bills (2010-12), Georgia Tech (2002-07), the Dallas Cowboys (1998-99), Samford University (1993), the Birmingham Fire (1991-92) and Troy State (1983-84).
Miami Dolphins sign 12 to futures contracts
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January 5, 2021
Miami Dolphins sign 12 to futures contracts
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins today announced they have signed 12 players to reserve/futures contracts: defensive end Nick Coe, safety Brian Cole, cornerback Javaris Davis, cornerback Tino Ellis, center Tyler Gauthier, tackle Jonathan Hubbard, linebacker Kylan Johnson, tight end Chris Myarick, guard Durval Queiroz Neto, defensive end Tyshun Render, quarterback Reid Sinnett and long snapper Rex Sunahara.
Coe was signed to Miami’s practice squad on Sept. 7, 2020 and spent the entire season there. He originally entered the NFL as an undrafted college free agent with New England on May 5, 2020. Coe was a three-year letterman (2017-19) at Auburn, where he played in 36 career games with 12 starts. He totaled 71 tackles (35 solo), one pass defensed and two forced fumbles during his collegiate career.
Cole was signed to Miami’s practice squad on Sept. 7, 2020 and spent the entire season there. He originally entered the NFL as a seventh-round pick (249th overall) by Minnesota in the 2020 NFL draft. He served as a team captain as a senior in 2019 at Mississippi State, starting all 12 games.
Davis was claimed off waivers by Miami from Kansas City on July 27, 2020 and went to training camp with the Dolphins before spending the season on the team’s practice squad. He originally entered the NFL as an undrafted college free agent with Kansas City on April 30, 2020. Davis played in 49 games with 35 starts over four seasons (2016-19) at Auburn, where he totaled 150 tackles (115 solo), eight interceptions, 32 passes defensed and one forced fumble.
Ellis joined Miami’s practice squad on Oct. 15, 2020. He originally entered the NFL as an undrafted college free agent with New Orleans on April 29, 2020. Ellis was a three-year starter (2017-19) at Maryland, where he earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors as a junior in 2018.
Gauthier signed the Dolphins practice squad on Sept. 16, 2020. He spent the final month of the 2019 season on Jacksonville’s active roster but did not appear in a game. Gauthier originally entered the NFL as an undrafted college free agent with New England on May 2, 2019. He played collegiately at the University of Miami, where he earned honorable mention All-ACC honors as a junior in 2017.
Hubbard signed with the Dolphins as an undrafted college free agent on April 29, 2020 and spent the entire season on Miami’s practice squad. He was a four-year letterman (2016-19) and three-year starter at Northwestern State, where he played in 32 career games with 27 starts.
Johnson signed with the Dolphins as an undrafted college free agent on April 29, 2020 and spent the entire season on Miami’s practice squad. He was a graduate transfer at Pittsburgh in 2019, starting all 13 games. He also played three seasons (2016-18) at Florida.
Myarick appeared in three games for the Dolphins this season after being elevated from the practice squad. He’s spent both the 2019 and 2020 seasons on Miami’s practice squad after the team signed him as an undrafted college free agent on May 9, 2019. Myarick played in 43 career games with 25 starts at Temple, totaling 23 receptions for 229 yards (10.0 avg.) and one touchdown.
Queiroz originally entered the NFL with Miami on April 8, 2019 as part of the International Player Pathway Program and spent the entire 2019 and 2020 seasons on the Dolphins practice squad. Originally from Diamantino, Brazil, Queiroz played for two of Brazil’s top teams – Galo Futbol Americano (2018) and Cuiaba Arsenal (2015-17). He was a judo champion prior to playing football.
Render appeared in one game for the Dolphins this season as a practice squad elevation. He joined the team as an undrafted college free agent on April 29, 2020 and spent the season on the practice squad. Render played in all 51 games of his collegiate career at Middle Tennessee State and started 19 contests.
Sinnett was elevated twice to Miami’s active roster but did not appear in a game this season. He joined the Dolphins practice squad on Sept. 14, 2020. Sinnett originally entered the NFL as an undrafted college free agent with Tampa Bay on May 4, 2020. He played collegiately at San Diego, where he earned first-team All-Pioneer Football League honors as a senior in 2019.
Sunahara had multiple stints with Miami in 2020, spending time on the team’s practice squad and also on the team’s training camp roster. He originally entered the NFL as an undrafted college free agent with Miami on Aug. 1, 2020. Sunahara played collegiately at West Virginia, where he was a semifinalist for the Patrick Mannelly Award, given annually to the nation’s top long snapper.
| No. |
Name |
Pos. |
Hgt. |
Wgt. |
Birthdate |
Exp. |
College |
Hometown |
Acq. |
| 17 |
Reid Sinnett |
QB |
6-4 |
225 |
2/5/97 |
R |
San Diego ’20 |
Johnston, Iowa |
FA, ‘20 |
| 38 |
Javaris Davis |
CB |
5-8 |
183 |
12/26/96 |
R |
Auburn ’20 |
Jacksonville, Fla. |
Wai., ’20 (KC) |
| 41 |
Brian Cole |
S |
6-2 |
205 |
4/3/97 |
R |
Mississippi St. ’20 |
Saginaw, Mich. |
FA, ‘20 |
| 45 |
Tino Ellis |
CB |
6-1 |
195 |
10/15/97 |
R |
Maryland ’20 |
Reisterstown, Md. |
FA, ‘20 |
| 52 |
Tyshun Render |
DE |
6-4 |
248 |
3/28/97 |
R |
Middle Tenn. St. ’20 |
Newnan, Ga. |
FA, ‘20 |
| 59 |
Kylan Johnson |
LB |
6-2 |
230 |
12/23/96 |
R |
Pittsburgh ’20 |
Dallas, Texas |
FA, ‘20 |
| 60 |
Rex Sunahara |
LS |
6-6 |
242 |
10/9/96 |
R |
West Virginia ’20 |
Bay Village, Ohio |
FA, ‘20 |
| 69 |
Durval Queiroz |
G |
6-4 |
330 |
8/27/92 |
1 |
None |
Diamantino, Brazil |
FA, ’19 (IPP) |
| 71 |
Jonathan Hubbard |
T |
6-5 |
305 |
8/17/97 |
R |
Northwestern St. ’20 |
Kilgore, Texas |
FA, ‘20 |
| 74 |
Tyler Gauthier |
C |
6-5 |
305 |
6/29/97 |
1 |
Miami (FL) ’19 |
Venice, Fla. |
FA, ‘20 |
| 85 |
Chris Myarick |
TE |
6-5 |
261 |
10/6/95 |
1 |
Temple ’19 |
Elkins Park, Pa. |
FA, ‘19 |
| 97 |
Nick Coe |
DE |
6-5 |
291 |
8/12/97 |
R |
Auburn ’20 |
Asheboro, N.C. |
FA, ‘20 |
Miami Dolphins announce team award winners
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January 5, 2021
Miami Dolphins announce team award winners
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins today announced their team award winners for the 2020 season. Cornerback Xavien Howard was named the Dan Marino Most Valuable Player, quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick earned the Don Shula Leadership Award, safety Bobby McCain was named the team’s Ed Block Courage Award winner and the team’s Social Impact Committee earned the Nat Moore Community Service Award.
Howard is the Dan Marino Team MVP for the second time in his career after also winning the award in 2018. He’s the first Dolphins player to win multiple team MVP awards since Ricky Williams in 2009. Williams was also a co-recipient of the award in 2002. Howard is the eighth player to win the Dan Marino Team MVP award at least twice, joining Bob Griese (1967-68, 1970-71, 1974, 1977), Larry Csonka (1973, 1979), Dan Marino (1983-92, 1994-95), Zach Thomas (1996, 2001), O.J. McDuffie (1997-98), Jason Taylor (2000, 2002, 2004, 2006) and Williams (2002, 2009). Howard tied the franchise record with 10 interceptions, matching Dick Westmoreland’s total in 1967. He’s the first NFL player since 2007 (Antonio Cromartie) to record double-digit interceptions in a season. This award is voted on by South Florida media and the organization and was re-named the Dan Marino Most Valuable Player Award in 2000 to reflect the achievements of Hall of Fame quarterback and 12-time team MVP Dan Marino.
Fitzpatrick is the winner of the Don Shula Leadership Award, as voted on by his teammates. He also won the award last year and is just the ninth player to earn the honor multiple times since it was established in 1989. Others who have won the award multiple times include Dan Marino (1995, 1997), Zach Thomas (1998-99, 2005), Derrick Rodgers (2000-01), Jason Taylor (2002, 2006-07, 2009), Junior Seau (2003-04), Karlos Dansby (2010-11), Mike Pouncey (2012, 2015) and Cameron Wake (2013-14, 2016-17). Fitzpatrick joins Seau and Dansby as the only players in team history to win the award in each of their first two seasons with the organization. The Don Shula Leadership Award is voted on by the players and is given to the teammate who exhibits leadership on and off the field. It was re-named the Don Shula Leadership Award in 2005 to reflect the accomplishments of the Hall of Fame coach Shula.
McCain is a first-time recipient of the team’s Ed Block Courage Award and only the fourth safety to earn the honor in team history joining Yeremiah Bell (2005), Liffort Hobley (1990) and Glenn Blackwood (1988). McCain had his 2019 season cut short after nine games with a shoulder injury. He bounced back in 2020 to play in all 16 games, including 15 starts. McCain totaled 46 tackles (39 solo), one interception and five passes defensed. As one of the defensive captains, McCain helped lead a unit that led the NFL in takeaways (29) and third-down defense (31.2 pct.) while finishing sixth in scoring defense (21.1 ppg). Each year, all 32 teams select a player to receive the Ed Block Courage Award. The recipient symbolizes professionalism, great strength and dedication. The honoree also is a community role model.
The Miami Dolphins Social Impact Committee is this year’s winner of the Nat Moore Community Service Award. Members of the committee include cornerback Byron Jones, running back Patrick Laird, linebacker Elandon Roberts, linebacker Kyle Van Noy and defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. The committee was formed by Dolphins players to positively impact civic engagement, education and economic empowerment. The group donated $100,000 to the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition Fines and Fees program, which assists returning citizens who have outstanding fees to complete their sentences and become eligible to vote. They also provided $300,000 to public schools in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties to bridge the digital divide and assist with wireless technology for underserved students. The Nat Moore Community Service Award is given each year to a Miami Dolphins player recognized for his involvement in the South Florida community. Moore spent 13 seasons in a Dolphins uniform, culminating by his placement on the Dolphins Honor Roll in 1999.
Miami Dolphins make roster moves
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January 2, 2021
Miami Dolphins make roster moves
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins today announced they have promoted safety Nate Holley to the active roster and waived fullback Chandler Cox. The team also elevated wide receiver Marcus Kemp and quarterback Reid Sinnett for Sunday’s game.
Holley joined the Dolphins on Aug. 22, 2020 and has spent the entire season on Miami’s practice squad. He was previously elevated twice this season and totaled two special teams tackles (one solo). Holley played in 18 games in 2018 for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League and was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Rookie after totaling 78 defensive tackles, 22 special teams tackles, one sack and one interception. He originally entered the NFL as an undrafted college free agent with the L.A. Rams on June 8, 2018.
Cox played in 21 career games with six starts for the Dolphins, totaling two receptions for nine yards (4.5 avg.). He appeared in eight games with three starts this season and was inactive for seven contests. Cox originally entered the NFL as a seventh-round pick (233rd overall) by the Dolphins in the 2019 NFL draft.
Kemp was signed to Miami’s practice squad on Dec. 22, 2020 after spending the rest of his career in Kansas City (2017-20). He appeared in 27 games for the Chiefs, including 10 in 2020, and totaled two receptions for 18 yards (9.0 avg.) and nine special teams tackles (seven solo). He originally entered the NFL as an undrafted college free agent with Kansas City on May 8, 2017.
Sinnett was signed to Miami’s practice squad on Sept. 14, 2020. He was previously elevated for one game and dressed but did not play. Sinnett spent the offseason and training camp with Tampa Bay before he was waived on Sept. 8, 2020. He originally entered the NFL as an undrafted college free agent with Tampa Bay on May 4, 2020. Sinnett threw for 3,528 yards as a senior in 2019 at San Diego, which was the second-most in a single season in team history.
| No. |
Name |
Pos. |
Hgt. |
Wgt. |
Birthdate |
Exp. |
College |
Hometown |
Acq. |
| 16 |
Marcus Kemp |
WR |
6-4 |
210 |
8/14/95 |
3 |
Hawaii ’17 |
Layton, Utah |
FA, ’20 |
| 17 |
Reid Sinnett |
QB |
6-4 |
225 |
2/5/97 |
R |
San Diego ’20 |
Johnston, Iowa |
FA, ‘20 |
| 36 |
Nate Holley |
S |
6-0 |
210 |
12/5/94 |
1 |
Kent State ’17 |
Toledo, Ohio |
FA, ‘20 |
Miami Dolphins make roster moves
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December 31, 2020
Miami Dolphins make roster moves
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins today announced they have signed quarterback Jake Rudock. The team also placed quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick on the reserve/COVID-19 list*, placed linebacker Elandon Roberts on injured reserve and activated wide receiver Kirk Merritt as a COVID-19 replacement for Sunday’s game.
Rudock has spent multiple stints on Miami’s practice squad after joining the team on Jan. 12, 2019. He has played in three NFL games, all with Detroit during the 2017 season. Rudock originally entered the NFL as a sixth-round pick (191st overall) by Detroit in the 2016 NFL draft. A Weston, Fla. native, Rudock attended St. Thomas Aquinas and played collegiately at Iowa (2011-14) and Michigan (2015).
Fitzpatrick joined the Dolphins as an unrestricted free agent on March 18, 2019. Over the past two seasons, Fitzpatrick has completed 494-of-769 passes (64.2 pct.) for 5,620 yards and 33 touchdowns for a passer rating of 89.0 with the Dolphins. Fitzpatrick has totaled 34,977 passing yards and 223 passing touchdowns in his career. He originally entered the NFL as a seventh-round pick (250th overall) by St. Louis in the 2005 NFL draft.
Roberts has played in 13 games with 11 starts this season after joining the Dolphins as an unrestricted free agent from New England on March 21, 2020. He’s totaled 61 tackles (33 solo), 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery this season. Roberts also played four seasons (2016-19) with the New England Patriots, winning a pair of Super Bowls (LI and LIII). He originally entered the NFL as a sixth-round pick (214th overall) by New England in the 2016 NFL draft.
Merritt made his NFL debut on Nov. 8, 2020 at Arizona but did not record any statistics. He has spent the rest of the season on Miami’s practice squad after originally entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Dolphins on April 29, 2020. Merritt earned first-team All-Sun Belt honors as a junior (2018) and senior (2019) at Arkansas State and led the conference in receptions (83) and receiving yards (1,005) in 2018.
*This new reserve list category was created for a player who either tests positive for COVID-19 or who has been quarantined after having been in close contact with an infected person or persons. If a player falls into either of these categories, their club is required to immediately place the player on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Per agreed upon NFL-NFLPA policy, clubs are not permitted to comment on a player’s medical status other than referring to roster status. Clubs may not disclose whether a player is in quarantine or is positive for COVID-19.
| No. |
Name |
Pos. |
Hgt. |
Wgt. |
Birthdate |
Exp. |
College |
Hometown |
Acq. |
| 5 |
Jake Rudock |
QB |
6-3 |
212 |
1/21/93 |
4 |
Michigan ’16 |
Weston, Fla. |
FA, ‘19 |
| 83 |
Kirk Merritt |
WR |
6-0 |
214 |
1/5/97 |
R |
Arkansas State ’20 |
Destrehan, La. |
FA, ‘20 |
Miami Dolphins promote Ford
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December 30, 2020
Miami Dolphins promote Ford
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins today announced they have promoted wide receiver Isaiah Ford to the active roster.
Ford has played in 18 games in his NFL career, all with Miami (2018-20). He’s totaled 48 receptions for 483 yards (10.1 avg.) and has one carry for 11 yards. Ford was traded by Miami to New England on Nov. 3, 2020 before the Patriots waived him on Dec. 5, 2020. He signed with the Dolphins’ practice squad on Dec. 14, 2020 and played the past two games after being elevated to the active roster. Ford originally entered the NFL as a seventh-round pick (237th overall) by Miami in the 2017 NFL draft.
| No. |
Name |
Pos. |
Hgt. |
Wgt. |
Birthdate |
Exp. |
College |
Hometown |
Acq. |
| 84 |
Isaiah Ford |
WR |
6-2 |
201 |
2/9/96 |
3 |
Virginia Tech ’17 |
Jacksonville, Fla. |
FA, ‘20 |
