Breaking Down the Dolphins Roster Move

Miami Dolphins waived one of their young defensive linemen Saturday.

Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Brandon Pili (96) celebrates a tackle for loss during the fourth quarter of a preseason game at Hard Rock Stadium on Friday, August 11, 2023, in Miami Gardens, FL. / JEFF ROMANCE/THE PALM BEACH POST / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Miami Dolphins made a roster move Saturday that was the precursor to another that's been much anticipated.

The team announced it had waived second-year defensive tackle Brandon Pili, who appeared in each of the first eight games this season as a backup.

The roster opening will likely be filled when the Dolphins activate wide receiver River Cracraft from injured reserve so he can play against the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night.

Cracraft just finished his second week of practice as a full participant, and the Dolphins could be without Tyreek Hill (wrist) against the Rams . Dee Eskridge will be joining his teammate in Southern California on his own.

PILI COULD RETURN

Pili, who made the team as a rookie free agent in 2023, was averaging 8.5 snaps per game, with a high of 17 in the Week 8 loss against the Arizona Cardinals.

His departure leaves four interior defensive linemen on the 53-man roster — Calais Campbell, Zach Sieler, Da'Shawn Hand and Benito Jones. The Dolphins also have two IDLs on the practice squad, Neil Farrell and newcomer Shakel Brown.

The possibility certainly does exist that the Dolphins could bring back Pili once he clears waivers.

The move comes with Sieler's expected return from his eye injury.

The Dolphins elevated Farrell from the practice squad each of the past two games, giving them five interior defensive linemen on the game-day roster so it could happen again.

If Hill doesn't play, another option would be to elevate a wide receiver, the logical candidate Erik Ezukanma, to join Cracraft, Jaylen Waddle, Odell Beckham, Jr., and Malik Washington in the game-day lineup.