Dolphins trim roster ahead of 53-man deadline, waiving 11 players

The Miami Dolphins announced they have made a series of roster moves ahead of the NFL’s 53-man roster deadline, waiving 11 players as part of their final training-camp reductions. The moves, published by the team on August 30, reflect how quickly roster decisions tighten once the preseason window closes and payroll and game-planning priorities come into focus.

According to the Dolphins’ announcement, the waivers include tackle Gottlieb Ayedze, cornerback Miles Battle and safety Major Burns. The team also waived tight end Jeremiah Franklin and quarterback Mark Gronowski, both moves that underscore the heavy competition at positions that typically carry limited spots once the regular-season roster is set.

The Dolphins’ list further included running back Jarquez Hunter, wide receiver Donaven McCulley and edge Rodney McGraw. In addition, the team waived cornerback Jai’Onte’ McMillan and quarterback Cam Miller, leaving their quarterback depth and defensive back groups to be reconstituted through remaining roster options such as other active-contract players, practice-squad assignments, or claims by other clubs.

Along with the skill-position and defensive backs, the Dolphins also waived defensive lineman Fatorma Mulbah and inside linebacker Cam Riley. The set of cuts was rounded out by running back Carlos Washington Jr. Taken together, the waivers cover multiple units, suggesting Miami is simultaneously resetting both its offense and defense depth charts for the start of the season.

In NFL terms, a waiver is the formal release process that allows other teams to claim a player before he clears and becomes free to sign elsewhere. For fans, the immediate takeaway is less about the individuals than about roster construction, because most preseason cuts happen in clusters as teams balance special teams roles, positional versatility, and what they believe they can carry on game days.

The timing also matters. With the 53-man roster deadline approaching, clubs typically use the last days before the cutdown to evaluate practice habits and situational fit that may not be fully captured during preseason games. While the Dolphins did not detail the reasoning for each player in the announcement, the breadth of positions waived indicates a comprehensive final evaluation rather than a single-unit change.

What to watch next is how the wider league responds to Miami’s waivers. If any of the released players are claimed, those players would join their new clubs’ organizations before the season. If they clear waivers, the Dolphins and other teams can pursue them for futures opportunities or practice-squad roles, where roster spots are flexible week to week depending on injuries and matchups.

For Miami, the practical focus now shifts to locking in the regular-season depth chart and ensuring the active roster includes the mix it wants at each position, particularly at cornerback and quarterback, where small differences in availability and performance can have outsized effects. The team’s next visible step will be the 53-man roster confirmation and any subsequent practice-squad or claim-related developments that follow the waiver window.