Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert (31) stiff-arms Green Bay Packers safety Evan Williams (33) on Thursday, November 28, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won the game, 30-17.
Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Dolphins releasing veteran RB Raheem Mostert

The Miami Dolphins have informed running back Raheem Mostert that he will be released, his agent said Friday.

The Dolphins will clear $2.9 million in salary cap space by parting ways with the former Pro Bowler, who turns 33 in April.

Mostert joined Miami in 2022 and enjoyed his finest season in 2023, rushing for 1,012 yards and leading the NFL with 21 touchdowns from scrimmage.

Playing behind second-year back De’Von Achane in 2024, Mostert split backup duties with rookie Jaylen Wright and rushed for 278 yards and two TDs in 13 games (one start).

“Looks like my client Raheem Mostert will be playing elsewhere next season,” agent Brett Tessler wrote on X. “Very thankful for his time with the Miami Dolphins, and this gives them a chance to get younger and gives him a chance to pursue a ring elsewhere.”

Undrafted in 2015, Mostert has rushed for 3,791 yards and 34 touchdowns in 103 games (39 starts) for the Dolphins (2015, 2022-24), Baltimore Ravens (2015), Cleveland Browns (2015), Chicago Bears (2016) and San Francisco 49ers (2016-21).

–Field Level Media

Dec 8, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) throws the football against the Miami Dolphins during the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Dolphins’ playoff hopes alive entering finale vs. Jets

The Miami Dolphins remain in the hunt for a playoff berth as they take on the New York Jets on Sunday afternoon in East Rutherford, N.J.

The Dolphins (8-8), who have won two straight, need to beat the Jets (4-12) and hope the Denver Broncos lose at home to the Kansas City Chiefs in order to clinch the AFC’s final playoff berth.

If Miami achieves this, it would be the first time it has made the playoffs in three consecutive seasons since making it five years in a row from 1997-2001. The Dolphins have not won a playoff game, however, since 2000.

Miami will have to beat the Jets without starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who is expected to miss his second consecutive game with a hip injury. Tyler Huntley will likely make his second consecutive start and fifth of the season.

Huntley gave the Dolphins some confidence last week with a strong performance in a 20-3 road win over the Cleveland Browns. He completed 22 of 26 passes for 225 yards, threw for a touchdown, ran for another and did not throw an interception.

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel didn’t officially name Huntley the starter on Wednesday, but said Tagovailoa was limited at practice.

“As a team, I think it’s very easy for us to adjust as the week progresses. But I think we have to approach it a certain way,” McDaniel said. “That’s an easy adjustment that we’re definitely open-minded to, considering our timeline last week.”

The Jets can only play spoiler to their longtime AFC East rivals, but the game has its own intrigue as future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers could be making the final start of his career.

Rodgers is under contract with the Jets for next season and will count for a cap hit of $23 million, but the Jets are heading into an offseason where they will hire a new head coach and general manager.

Rodgers, 41, returned this season after suffering a season-ending Achilles injury in his first game with New York in 2023. But Rodgers’ 24 touchdown passes and 3,623 yards passing heading into Sunday’s game are career lows for a season in which he has started at least 15 games.

Rodgers threw for a season-low 112 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions in last week’s ugly 40-14 loss at Buffalo.

“I’m just more resigned to the reality of the situation,” Rodgers said. “I think there’s going to be change here, and if I’m (not) a part of the change, then I just want to make sure everybody knows I have nothing but gratitude for my time here.”

The Dolphins rallied to beat the Jets 32-26 in overtime in the first meeting on Dec. 8 in Miami. The Dolphins erased an eight-point fourth quarter deficit and won the game in the extra period on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Tagovailoa to Jonnu Smith. The Dolphins have won four of their past five games vs. the Jets.

Besides Tagovailoa for the Dolphins, LT Terron Armstead (knee), S Jordan Poyer (knee) and LB Anthony Walker (knee) had not returned to practice as of Wednesday. S Jevon Holland (wrist), WR Jaylen Waddle (knee) and WR Tyreek Hill (wrist) were limited in practice.

For the Jets, TE Tyler Conklin (calf), CB Sauce Gardner (hamstring), RT Morgan Moses (knee), RG Alijah Vera-Tucker (ankle) and DT Quinnen Williams (hamstring) did not practice as of Wednesday and LG John Simpson (groin) was limited.

–Field Level Media

Dec 29, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tyler Huntley (18) throws a pass during the first half against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Dolphins preparing QB Tyler Huntley to start vs. Jets

The Miami Dolphins are preparing quarterback Tyler Huntley to start Sunday’s critical matchup at the New York Jets in place of Tua Tagovailoa, head coach Mike McDaniel told reporters Wednesday.

However, McDaniel said if Tagovailoa is medically cleared and has seen enough improvement in his injured hip, the team is comfortable switching to start him in Sunday’s must-win game.

Tagovailoa will be limited in practice Wednesday. He initially injured his hip against the Houston Texans on Dec. 15 and absorbed another hit versus the San Francisco 49ers a week later. He missed last week’s 20-3 win over the Cleveland Browns, which kept the Dolphins (8-8) in contention for a playoff spot.

Huntley, 26, has started four games this season, completed 61 of 92 passes (66.3 percent) for 602 yards, two TDs and one pick. He also ran 23 times for 119 yards and two scores.

Tagovailoa already has missed five games this season because of a concussion while starting the other 11. He has completed 291 of 399 passes (league-best 72.9 percent) for 2,867 yards, 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

–Field Level Media

CSU football legend Shaquil Barrett smiles for a photo before the game against Colorado in the Rocky Mountain Showdown at Canvas Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Fort Collins, Colo.

Dolphins waiving LB Shaq Barrett from reserve/retired list

The Miami Dolphins are waiving two-time Pro Bowl pass-rusher Shaquil Barrett from the reserve/retired list on Thursday, his agent confirmed to ESPN.

Barrett, 32, would be eligible to play again this season if he clears waivers and signs with another team. If another team claims him, however, the veteran linebacker would be ineligible to play the rest of this season.

“We appreciate the Dolphins giving Shaq this opportunity to continue his career in the NFL,” said Drew Rosenhaus, Barrett’s agent. “Hopefully he will pass through waivers and become a free agent so he can play again this season. He is in great shape and would be ready to play immediately.”

Barrett announced his retirement in July, four months after signing a one-year, $9 million deal with the Dolphins.

He had a change of heart and applied for reinstatement on Nov. 26, but Miami did not greenlight that opportunity.

Undrafted out of Colorado State in 2014, Barrett has played in 131 games (85 starts) across nine seasons with the Denver Broncos (2014-18) and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2019-23). He won Super Bowls with both franchises and recorded 400 tackles (73 for loss), 59 sacks, 22 forced fumbles and three interceptions.

His best season came with the Buccaneers in 2019, when he led the NFL with 19.5 sacks and was named to his first Pro Bowl. His 10-sack season in 2021 earned him another Pro Bowl nod.

–Field Level Media

Dec 15, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA;  Miami Dolphins wide receiver Grant DuBose (88) makes a catch against the Houston Texans in the third quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

Dolphins WR Grant DuBose to return home after hospital stay

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Grant DuBose is expected to return home Wednesday after spending three days in a Houston hospital, head coach Mike McDaniel said.

DuBose was hospitalized after taking a blow to the head from safety Calen Bullock of the Texans with 9:34 left in the third quarter of Sunday’s game, won 20-12 by Houston.

Medical personnel working on DuBose cut his uniform top off and placed the 23-year-old on a board before putting him on a stretcher. He was wheeled off the field and taken to Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center.

“Expecting him to travel home today,” McDaniel said Wednesday. “Haven’t seen him, talked to him, and we’re all just very, very excited to get to see him. He’s been on the constant mind of a lot of people. And, yeah, he’s doing well, taking it a day at a time.”

DuBose was placed on injured reserve Tuesday.

He was just activated off injured reserve due to a shoulder injury and Sunday marked his third game of the season. He had one catch for minus-2 yards against the Texans. It was his second career catch.

DuBose was a seventh-round pick of the Green Bay Packers in 2023. He was released shortly before this season and claimed by Miami.

–Field Level Media

Sep 12, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) walks off the field with training staff after an apparent injury during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images

Dolphins: QB Tua Tagovailoa expected to return this season

Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel told reporters Monday that quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is expected to return this season from the concussion he suffered in Week 2.

McDaniel said Tagovailoa received encouraging feedback from a neurologist last week, during the team’s bye week.

“I do expect to see him playing football in 2024,” McDaniel said, adding Tagovailoa is expected to get additional medical input this week.

Tagovailoa, 26, is currently on injured reserve after sustaining his third concussion as a pro against the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 12. The earliest he could return would be the Oct. 27 matchup with the Arizona Cardinals.

“I didn’t really allow myself any sort of contemplation modes on whether he would or wouldn’t,” McDaniel said about Tagovailoa playing again this season. “Yeah, it is exciting (knowing he’ll be back).”

Tagovailoa has not had lingering symptoms, the Miami Herald reported.

He suffered the concussion when he scrambled for a first down on a fourth-and-4 play in the red zone, but instead of sliding, he collided with Buffalo safety Damar Hamlin, his head making contact with Hamlin’s arm.

Tagovailoa appeared to exhibit a fencing response, but rather than being carted off by ambulance, as he was during a similar sequence in 2022, he was able to leave the field under his own power.

Tyler Huntley is expected to get the start for the Dolphins (2-3) this week against the Indianapolis Colts (3-3).

–Field Level Media

Sep 30, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins linebacker Jaelan Phillips (15) walks off the field with an injury against the Tennessee Titans during the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Dolphins OLB Jaelan Phillips out for season

For the second straight year, Miami Dolphins outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips has suffered a season-ending injury.

Phillips, 25, announced Wednesday on social media that the knee injury he sustained in Monday night’s 31-12 loss to the Tennessee Titans will require reconstructive surgery.

Last season ended similarly for Phillips, who tore his right Achilles tendon in a Week 12 game against the New York Jets.

“I believe that our lives are defined by how we handle adversity. In these moments of uncertainty, defeat and sorrow, it is natural to question your purpose and wonder what is the meaning of this pain,” Phillips wrote on Instagram.

“I know that my purpose is to inspire people to never give up no matter how many times you get knocked down. I am a living testimony to the power of resilience … There is nothing in life that you can’t overcome as long as you don’t quit. The mission is still the mission. I have unfinished business to take care of and I will come out of this trial victorious,” he added.

Phillips had one sack, two quarterback hits and six tackles this season in four game (three starts).

Since being drafted in the first round (18th overall) in 2021, Phillips has recorded 23 sacks, 54 QB hits, 152 tackles and three fumble recoveries in 46 games (29 starts).

–Field Level Media