Dolphins keep reshaping the back end of the roster, adding a tight end and inside linebacker

The Miami Dolphins continued their roster shuffle on Monday, adding a tight end and an inside linebacker while waiving two other players from the bottom of the roster. The moves reflect the way NFL teams use the later stages of training camp to test depth and special-teams fits, particularly at positions where practice reps and preseason opportunities can separate a long-term roster option from a short-term look.

According to the report, the Dolphins signed tight end Ethan Conner and inside linebacker Jaheim Thomas. In a league where depth can hinge on health and matchup needs, additions like this are often aimed at strengthening coverage of the second and third units, where coaches can evaluate pass protection, coverage responsibilities, run fits, and overall tempo without the spotlight that falls on starters.

Miami also waived center Jim Bonifas and cornerback Ahmari Harvey. Center is a critical position for the stability of the offense, especially during practices that emphasize communication, snap timing, and line calls. Cornerback is similarly central to the defense’s week-to-week coverage plan, even when a player is primarily working with the second and third defensive groups.

The front office’s involvement in these changes, the report noted Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan as the architect of Monday’s transaction activity. For fans, that can read as constant turnover, but within NFL roster management it is usually a deliberate process: teams balance veteran experience, developmental upside, and the ability to contribute quickly on special teams.

Roster churn at this stage is also a byproduct of the preseason evaluation cycle. Even when players are showing well in individual drills, staffs can be looking for specific traits that show up in group work, such as the ability to adjust coverage rotations, sustain block-to-play responsibilities, or handle the mental pace of live-game tempo. Waiving and signing can be the quickest way to keep roster opportunities aligned with what a coaching staff wants to evaluate next.

What to watch next is how quickly Miami’s new linebacker and tight end absorb the playbook and earn roles with their respective units. The Dolphins’ offseason additions are only part of the equation; the more immediate question is how these players perform when the reps get more competitive and when special teams snaps become an even clearer differentiator.

Equally important is what happens to the waived players. Players claimed off waivers by other teams can reappear in new schemes quickly, while those who clear waivers may seek opportunities elsewhere in the league. In other words, Monday’s transaction window does not just reshape Miami’s depth chart, it can also shift the broader market for players at positions in constant demand during camp.

Because this story is based on a third-party transaction report and no team press release is included here, readers should treat the details as preliminary until Miami confirms the transactions through its official channels or the NFL’s transaction system. Still, the named players and the basic direction of the roster move are clear: Miami is continuing to refine its depth along the front and back ends of its roster ahead of the regular season.