Dolphins Make QB Move, Add WR to Active Roster

The Miami Dolphins took one step to address their logjam at the quarterback position.

Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin (44) tackles Miami Dolphins quarterback Tyler Huntley (18) during a game against the Miami Dolphins at Lucas Oil Stadium. / Christine Tannous/IndyStar USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images-Imagn Images

The Miami Dolphins made another series of roster moves Friday, and these addressed the need for a new wide receiver on the active roster and (at least partially) the quarterback logjam.

The Dolphins announced they had placed quarterback Tyler Huntley on injured reserve, resulting from the shoulder injury he sustained in the third quarter of the 16-10 loss against the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday.

The team also signed practice squad wide receiver Dee Eskridge to the active roster and filled his spot on the practice squad by signing defensive tackle Matt Dickerson.

Dickerson has played 36 games (with no starts) over five NFL seasons, most recently with the Kansas City Chiefs, for whom he played 12 games in 2023. He was released from the Chiefs practice squad on August 31, three days after they signed him to that unit.

WIDE RECEIVER NEED

Eskridge will become the fifth wide receiver on the active roster and replace returner Braxton Berrios, who was placed on injured reserve earlier this week due to the knee injury he sustained in the loss at Indianapolis.

Eskridge was elevated twice to the game-day roster and had one more left before he needed to go on the 53 to be used again in 2023.

While rookie sixth-round pick Malik Washington figures to handle the punt return duties with Berrios out, Eskridge may become the new kickoff returner. He has 18 career kickoff returns in four NFL seasons with a 25.3-yard average and had a 28-yard kickoff return for the Dolphins in the Week 3 game against the Seattle Seahawks.

THE QUARTERBACK SITUATION

Before being placed on injured reserve, Huntley was one of five quarterbacks on the roster — including Tua Tagovailoa, who cleared concussion protocol and will be activated Saturday.

The quarterbacks currently on the active roster are Skylar Thompson and Tim Boyle, while newcomer C.J. Beathard is on the practice squad.

Even with the Huntley move, the Dolphins can make another move (such as releasing Boyle) when they activate Tagovailoa. However, the need to elevate a long snapper (Matt Overton) and defensive tackle (likely Neil Farrell, Jr.) might make the Dolphins want to wait until next week to have Boyle as the emergency third quarterback against Arizona.

It remains to be seen what the Dolphins will do with Huntley once he's eligible to return from IR (injured reserve) after sitting out the next four games. Huntley will have to miss the games against the Cardinals, Bills, Rams, and Raiders, but he will be eligible to come off IR for the Week 12 game against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium.