Dolphins Elevate Perry from Practice Squad

The defensive back likely to see action on special teams against Buffalo

Alain Poupart | Sep 18, 2021

Practice squad defensive back Jamal Perry again will be part of the active roster against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.

It will be Perry's second appearance in two weeks despite being waived the day after the final cuts to the 53-player roster limit when the Dolphins claimed fellow DB Elijah Campbell off waivers from the New York Jets.

Perry's role was limited to special teams in the 17-16 victory against the New England last Sunday, and it's fair speculation to suggest his elevation again was tied to special teams.

The one difference is that Perry joined the active roster against New England as a COVID-19 replacement after both tackle Austin Jackson and tight end Adam Shaheen were placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, though Jackson ended up being activated in time for the game.

This move again gives the Dolphins a total of 13 defensive backs on their game-day roster and might signal that 2020 first-round pick Noah Igbinoghene could be headed for the inactive list for a second consecutive game.

The Dolphins' 10 active defensive backs against New England were Xavien Howard, Byron Jones, Eric Rowe, Jason McCourty, Nik Needham, Jevon Holland, Justin Coleman, Brandon Jones, Clayton Fejedelem and Perry, and it's entirely possible we'll have a repeat against Buffalo.

Igbinoghene was one of three defensive backs inactive against New England in Week 1 along with Campbell and rookie free agent Trill Williams, and it's entirely possible — given the lack of game experience among those three — that we'll have a repeat scenario against Buffalo.

Published Sep 18, 2021

ALAIN POUPART

Alain Poupart is the publisher/editor of All Dolphins and co-host of the All Dolphins Podcast. Alain has covered the Miami Dolphins on a full-time basis since 1989 for various publications and media outlets, including Dolphin Digest, The Associated Press, the Dolphins team website, and the Fan Nation Network (part of Sports Illustrated). In addition to being a credentialed member of the Miami Dolphins press corps, Alain has covered three Super Bowls (for NFL.com, Football News and the Montreal Gazette), the annual NFL draft, the Senior Bowl, and the NFL Scouting Combine. During his almost 40 years in journalism, which began at the now-defunct Miami News, Alain has covered practically every sport at one time or another, from tennis to golf, baseball, basketball and everything in between. The career also included time as a copy editor, including work on several books such as "Still Perfect," an inside look at the Miami Dolphins' 1972 perfect season. A native of Montreal, Canada, whose first language is French, Alain grew up a huge hockey fan but soon developed a love for all sports, including NFL football. He has lived in South Florida since the 1980s.