Dolphins add cornerback Jai'Onte' McMillan after Colts roster move

The Miami Dolphins used the waiver wire to add cornerback Jai'Onte' McMillan to their active roster on Saturday, according to the team announcement reported by Yahoo Sports. McMillan previously was on the Indianapolis Colts’ roster until the Colts made a corresponding roster move, dropping him after signing tight end JJ Galbreath on Friday.

For the Dolphins, the claim is a reminder of how quickly NFL depth charts can shift in late August, when rosters are still being adjusted in response to camp performances and early-season needs. Adding a cornerback is particularly meaningful in a division where the passing game drives weekly preparation, and where teams often need more bodies for coverage reps, special teams assignments, and matchup flexibility.

The Colts’ decision to drop McMillan was linked directly to their acquisition of Galbreath. In practical terms, this kind of transaction usually reflects how the team is balancing positional needs across the 53-man roster, while also managing roster spots for players who can contribute on offense and in multiple phases of the game.

Waiver claims also carry an implicit evaluation element. While teams may have their own views on a player’s fit, the fact that Miami was willing to put in a claim suggests McMillan offers something the Dolphins want to look at more closely during the final stretch of roster building.

Neither team’s transaction information, as reported here, provides details on how McMillan has performed on the field or how the Dolphins expect him to be used immediately. What is clear is the timing, and the immediate roster cause-and-effect between Indianapolis’s signing of Galbreath and Miami’s decision to claim McMillan.

Looking ahead, the key question for Miami is whether McMillan can secure a role as camp transitions toward the regular season, either as a depth corner, a special teams option, or a developmental piece who earns more snaps as the Dolphins refine their defensive rotation. For Indianapolis, the follow-up will be how the Galbreath addition reshapes the tight end group and whether it changes the team’s approach to the back half of its roster.