Miami Dolphins Cut 8 Players After Massive Waiver Wire Haul
The Miami Dolphins’ initial 53-man roster didn’t stay intact for very long.
Less than 24 hours after Miami announced its initial roster for the 2026 season, the Dolphins made another significant round of moves Monday, releasing veterans Clelin Ferrell and A.J. Green III while waiving Ethan Bonner, Marques Cox, AJ Henning, Max Llewellyn and Josh Priebe.
Miami also waived/injured tight end Ben Sims.
The moves were necessary after the Dolphins aggressively attacked the waiver wire and added seven players who had been let go by other teams. Miami also signed veteran edge rusher Malik Herring to the active roster.
That meant eight roster spots had to be created, and several players who thought they had survived the final round of cuts on Sunday suddenly found themselves on the outside looking in.
Clelin Ferrell’s Short Stay in Miami Comes to an End
Perhaps the biggest name among the departures is Clelin Ferrell.
Miami signed Ferrell on July 27, hoping the veteran could provide experience and depth at edge rusher. The former No. 4 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft has played for the Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, Washington Commanders and Los Angeles Chargers during his NFL career.
Ferrell has appeared in 98 regular-season games with 57 starts, recording 181 tackles and 21 sacks.
His experience appeared to give him a strong opportunity to stick around, particularly with Miami dealing with injuries at edge. Ferrell survived Sunday’s cuts and was included on the initial 53-man roster.
One day later, however, he is gone.
Miami’s decision to sign Herring appears to have directly impacted the edge room and ultimately Ferrell’s roster spot.
Dolphins Move On From A.J. Green III
Cornerback A.J. Green III is another veteran who initially survived roster cuts before being released Monday.
Green was part of a Miami secondary that has undergone considerable turnover throughout the offseason. With the Dolphins claiming Marcellas Dial Jr. and Reese Taylor off waivers, something had to give in the cornerback room.
Green became one of the casualties.
Miami’s decision to release Green rather than waive him makes him an unrestricted free agent who can immediately sign with another team.
Miami released edge Clelin Ferrell and cornerback A.J. Green III, and waived cornerback Ethan Bonner, tackle Marques Cox, wide receiver AJ Henning, edge Max Llewellyn and guard/tackle Josh Priebe. The team also waived/injured tight end Ben Sims. https://t.co/ujrnKKdmAU
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 31, 2026
Ethan Bonner Waived After Three Seasons in Miami
The departure of Ethan Bonner ends a three-year run with the Dolphins.
Bonner joined Miami as an undrafted free agent out of Stanford in 2023 and developed into a depth option in the secondary. He appeared in 21 games for Miami from 2023 through 2025, recording nine tackles, an interception, three passes defensed and a fumble recovery.
Bonner also appeared in one postseason game during his time with the Dolphins.
Like Green, Bonner initially made Miami’s 53-man roster Sunday. But the additions of Dial and Taylor created a numbers crunch at cornerback.
Unlike Green, Bonner was waived, meaning the other 31 NFL teams will have an opportunity to claim him.
AJ Henning Loses His Roster Spot
Wide receiver AJ Henning was one of seven receivers included on Miami’s initial 53-man roster.
His stay didn’t last long.
Henning was waived Monday as Miami continued reshaping the bottom of the roster.
The former Michigan and Northwestern receiver had spent the offseason competing for a depth role in a receiving corps that has undergone significant changes. Henning’s ability to contribute as a receiver and return specialist gave him an opportunity to stick, and initially, he did.
Now Miami has decided to use that roster spot elsewhere.
Max Llewellyn Waived
Rookie edge rusher Max Llewellyn was also waived after initially earning a spot on the 53-man roster.
Llewellyn was a seventh-round pick by Miami and spent training camp competing in a crowded edge room.
There was some intrigue surrounding his development, especially considering Miami invested a draft pick in him. However, with Herring joining the roster and the Dolphins needing to create multiple spots, Llewellyn became expendable.
Because he is subject to waivers, Miami could potentially bring him back on the practice squad if he clears and the team remains interested.
Marques Cox Waived
Offensive tackle Marques Cox also saw his spot disappear Monday.
Cox signed with Miami in May after previously spending time with Denver and Arizona. He played his final two collegiate seasons at Kentucky after beginning his career at Northern Illinois and brought extensive starting experience from college.
Cox initially earned one of Miami’s 10 offensive line spots on the 53-man roster.
The Dolphins, however, claimed tackles Chukwuebuka Godrick and Jarrett Kingston on Monday. Those additions immediately changed the numbers along the offensive line and put Cox’s position in jeopardy.
Miami ultimately decided to move forward with its new additions.
Josh Priebe Waived
Josh Priebe was another casualty of Miami’s offensive line makeover.
The guard/tackle survived Sunday’s roster deadline and appeared to provide the Dolphins with additional versatility on the interior of their offensive line.
But when Miami claimed two offensive tackles Monday, the team needed to create space somewhere.
Priebe became one of the players squeezed out.
As with Cox, Miami could potentially look to bring Priebe back if he clears waivers and the Dolphins believe he can provide useful developmental depth on the practice squad.
Ben Sims Waived/Injured
The situation with tight end Ben Sims is slightly different.
Miami waived Sims with an injury designation after he initially made the team’s 53-man roster.
Sims entered training camp as an interesting piece because of his ability to play a more physical role at tight end/fullback. He survived the initial roster cuts alongside Greg Dulcich, Will Kacmarek and Seydou Traore.
Miami, however, claimed rookie tight end Justin Joly off waivers Monday.
Sims’ injury designation adds another layer to his situation. If he clears waivers, the Dolphins will have options regarding his status depending on the nature of the injury and the team’s plans moving forward.
Miami’s 53-Man Roster Was Only the Beginning
Sunday’s roster announcement was always going to be the first version of the Dolphins’ 53-man roster rather than the finished product.
Monday proved exactly why.
Miami claimed quarterback Brady Cook, cornerbacks Marcellas Dial Jr. and Reese Taylor, tackles Chukwuebuka Godrick and Jarrett Kingston, tight end Justin Joly and safety Julius Wood off waivers. The Dolphins also signed Malik Herring.
Eight players came in, which meant eight players had to go.
Ferrell, Green, Bonner, Cox, Henning, Llewellyn, Priebe and Sims paid the price.
It also sends an early message about how Miami plans to construct its roster under this regime. Making the initial 53 doesn’t guarantee anything. If the Dolphins believe they can upgrade the bottom of the roster, they appear willing to make changes quickly.
And with the regular-season opener approaching, there could still be more roster movement ahead.
