Dolphins add Bolden, release Swanson
The Miami Dolphins are adding a second member of Tom Brady’s old arsenal to the team.
Tailback Brandon Bolden signed with Miami on Tuesday after the Dolphins signed former Patriots receiver Danny Amendola in the offseason.
Bolden, a former Ole Miss standout, spent the past six seasons as an offensive and special teams contributor in New England.
Bolden, who has started six NFL games, has rushed for 912 yards and six touchdowns on 216 carries, and caught 47 passes for 373 yards and two touchdowns during his NFL career.
He’s also contributed 27 tackles on special teams, which is where he’ll likely contribute for the Dolphins right away.
To make room on the roster for Bolden, the Dolphins released former Detroit Lions center Travis Swanson, who the team had signed on Monday.
Bolden’s addition could mean Miami is carrying five tailbacks on the 53-man regular-season roster for the first week of the season.
Kenyan Drake and Frank Gore are listed as the Dolphins’ co-starters on Miami’s depth chart, and will share the backfield workload. Rookie tailback Kalen Ballage, the Dolphins’ 2018 fourth-round pick, is a young player Miami wants to continue investing in, and Senorise Perry was a pleasant surprise during training camp and the preseason, drawing praise from coach Adam Gase for his development and special teams contribution.
Bolden becomes the latest newcomer added to the team this week. The Dolphins claimed quarterback Luke Falk and receiver Tanner McEvoy from the waiver wire on Sunday.
The Dolphins also resigned offensive tackle Sam Young on Monday, allowing the former St. Thomas Aquinas standout to return to the team he’s played for the last two seasons.
To make room for Falk and McEvoy, the Dolphins placed linebacker Mike Hull (knee) and center Jake Brendel (calf ) on injured reserve, and waived safety Maurice Smith.
It is possible that Smith, who finished the preseason tied for the team lead with 16 tackles, could be resigned to Miami’s practice squad if no other team claims him or beats Miami’s practice-squad contract offer.