Dolphins suddenly part ways with their team captain in shocking move

[ad_1] The Dolphins made a considerably surprising transfer by waiving linebacker David Lengthy on Wednesday to make room for waiver declare tight finish Jack Stoll, in keeping with a workforce announcement.

Lengthy was voted by his teammates to be a workforce captain in Miami at the beginning of the season, making his midseason departure a shock after beginning six of the Dolphins’ eight video games this 12 months. Anthony Walker took over Lengthy’s beginning position within the final two video games, and the arrival of former Seahawks linebacker Tyrel Dodson by way of waivers made Lengthy surplus to necessities in Miami.

As a substitute, the Dolphins prioritized Stoll so as to add one other tight finish to their roster after Alec Ingold missed Monday night time’s recreation with a calf damage. The 2023 Professional Bowler performed 39% of the workforce’s offensive snaps when wholesome this 12 months, constant together with his utilization since head coach Mike McDaniel‘s arrival in 2022. The Dolphins’ use of heavy personnel required them so as to add one other tight finish in case Ingold’s absence extends into Week 11.

Regardless of shedding his beginning job this season, Lengthy may nonetheless draw curiosity on waivers from a workforce searching for linebacker depth. He was within the second 12 months of a two-year, $10M contract with the Dolphins signed throughout the 2023 offseason, per OverTheCap. Miami will eat a useless cap hit of no less than $2.21M — the 2024 prorated portion of his signing bonus — plus $444,444 in assured wage if Lengthy isn't claimed off waivers. If one other workforce claims Lengthy, the Dolphins will owe him $2M for the remainder of the 12 months and they won't be on the hook for his remaining assured wage. If Lengthy clears waivers, he'll grow to be a free agent and might signal with no matter workforce he likes, whereas Miami may have a $2.65M useless cap hit on their books.