Wilson: Dolphins confirm Porter is still on the roster, for now

On the same day they announced that they were cutting him, the Miami Dolphins have now acknowledged that they have to hold onto outside linebacker Joey Porter.

The problem with cutting Porter today after his dramatic campaign to be thrown off the team during Super Bowl week is due to salary-cap acceleration caused by releasing him with two years remaining on his contract.

Cutting him would have sent the Dolphins over the league salary-cap limit, which remains in effect until the uncapped year officially commences with the lack of a new collective bargaining agreement by March 5.

"The release of Joey Porter was determined to be an invalid termination,' the Dolphins said in a statement. "Therefore at this time, Porter reverts back to the Miami Dolphins roster."

The Dolphins have to hold onto Porter until at least March 5.

That's the beginning of the free agent signing and trading period. It may be very difficult to trade Porter, though, because of his age and recent history of bashing team management.

Porter is due a $1 million roster bonus on March 1.

Porter is due a $3.8 million base salary in 2010, according to NFL Players Association records.

Porter didn't excel last season, recording a career-low for tackles while also posting nine sacks.

He was deactivated for disciplinary reasons against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

When the Dolphins ultimately release Porter, they'll realize $4 million in savings with his salary and bonuses off the books.

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