Dolphins open roster reductions, waive 12 players ahead of 53-man deadline

Miami begins its annual late-August roster trimming with a series of waivers that will leave the club positioned for the league-mandated 53-player limit.

By The Apex Times Newsroom2 min readAI-assisted Apex article

The Miami Dolphins have started their late-summer roster reductions, announcing that the team has waived 12 players as it works toward the league-wide requirement to have each club at 53 players by the weekend. The move is part of the normal cutdown process, when teams must get down from the larger offseason roster to the regular-season limit and create space for the final group they intend to carry into the start of the season.

According to the Dolphins’ list, the waived group includes cornerback Alex Austin and running back Coleman Bennett. The Dolphins also waived tackle Kevin Cline, edge Seth Coleman-Lyles, and tight end Ethan Conner, continuing the pattern of shaking up multiple position groups rather than focusing on one unit.

Miami’s announcement extended into the linebacker and backfield depth as well, with inside linebacker Stephen Dix Jr. and running back Donovan Edwards among those released. The Dolphins also waived defensive linemen Alex Huntley and Cam Rice, along with safety Louis Moore, suggesting a broad look at their defensive front and secondary depth ahead of final roster decisions.

The final names in the waiver list were inside linebacker Jaheim Thomas and wide receiver Theo Wease Jr. Together, the 12 waivers reflect a roster-management step teams often use to evaluate the bottom end of the depth chart before the final cutdown becomes binding.

The practical impact of an NFL waiver is that other teams can claim a player, after which the Dolphins would lose that player’s rights. If a player clears waivers, Miami can pursue other roster options consistent with league rules, including potential practice-squad opportunities, though the specific disposition of each player was not detailed in the announcement.

For the Dolphins, this cutdown phase typically serves two goals. One is roster compliance, getting to the 53-player threshold. The other is team-building, using the waiver window to finalize the mix of playmakers, role players, and special-teams options they believe can cover the full 17-game slate.

What to watch next is how the remaining roster settles after these early waivers, including whether any of the released players are claimed quickly by other clubs. With the league deadline for the 53-man limit approaching, additional Dolphins cuts are likely as Miami continues to narrow the field and confirm the final group for Week 1.

Why It Matters

The waivers are an essential step toward the Dolphins meeting the league’s 53-man roster deadline.
Releasing players across multiple positions changes the depth-chart picture, especially along the defensive front and secondary.
Waived players could be claimed by other teams, affecting how Miami protects depth for injury contingencies before the season begins.
The next round of cuts, if any, will clarify which roles the Dolphins prioritize for the final roster, including likely special-teams contributions.

Sources

Key Facts

Miami Dolphins began its late-August roster cutdown by waiving 12 players.
The Dolphins’ reductions are tied to the requirement for all NFL clubs to reach a 53-player roster by the weekend.
Players waived included cornerback Alex Austin and running backs Coleman Bennett and Donovan Edwards.
The waiver list also included tackle Kevin Cline, edge Seth Coleman-Lyles, and tight end Ethan Conner.
Additional waived players were inside linebacker Stephen Dix Jr., defensive lineman Alex Huntley, safety Louis Moore, defensive lineman Cam Rice, inside linebacker Jaheim Thomas, and wide receiver Theo Wease Jr.