Dolphins Make Move with Chris Brooks

The second-year running back was waived/injured last week

Miami Dolphins running back Chris Brooks (35) runs with the football against the Washington Commanders during the second quarter of a preseason game at Hard Rock Stadium. / Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Running back Chris Brooks is now a free agent.

The Miami Dolphins released Brooks with an injury settlement Monday, making him eligible to sign with any team.

Brooks could re-sign with the Dolphins if there were mutual interest, but league rules dictate that it couldn't happen for at least three weeks plus the number of weeks corresponding to the amount of the settlement he was given.

For practical purposes, this is a situation that almost never happens.

BROOKS' BAD LUCK

Brooks' quest to make the active roster this summer ended when he was waived/injured last week as part of the moves to get down to the 53-player limit.

Brooks had been practicing after being placed in the concussion protocol as the result of a hit he took during the preseason victory against the Washington Commanders, a few plays after he reeled off a 59-yard run.

After arriving as an undrafted free agent out of BYU in 2023, Brooks showed intriguing potential from the start along with bringing the kind of size that's lacking in the Dolphins running back corps.

Brooks was able to make the 53-man roster last year, and though his playing time was limited he did have a 52-yard run in the historic blowout of the Denver Broncos in Week 3 and a 28-yard run in the Week 6 victory against the Carolina Panthers.

But he sustained a leg injury in that Carolina game that landed him on injured reserve. The Dolphins thought enough of him to designate him to return and he played three more games down the stretch, though he had only three more rushing attempts.

The addition of rookie fourth-round pick Jaylen Wright made Brooks' quest to make the roster that much more difficult, particularly with veteran Jeff Wilson Jr. having a strong camp.