Gase likes his receiver group; Dolphins add WR McEvoy for depth
DAVIE The Miami Dolphins may be relatively thin at the receiver position, but coach Adam Gase is optimistic about his players’ potential.
“It’s always close, but you have to look at the big picture,” Gase said on Sunday after cutting four receivers who played on the team last season.
“But the five guys we got, I like that group.”
Making the cut on Miami’s 53-man roster were Kenny Stills, DeVante Parker, Danny Amendola, Albert Wilson and Jakeem Grant.
The Dolphins claimed receiver Tanner McEvoy off waivers on Sunday, along with quarterback Luke Falk, to bolster the depth at both positions.
The Dolphins could be in a shorthanded situation at receiver in Week 1, hosting the Tennessee Titans in Hard Rock Stadium on Sept. 9.
Parker (broken finger) and Grant (concussion protocol) could still be sidelined before the Dolphins begin practice Wednesday. Gase did not share an injury update when asked about both players.
“I don’t know. I’m there yet,” Gase said.
McEvoy, who was waived by the Saints, could quickly grasp Gase’s offense with his experience as a former quarterback. McEvoy played quarterback at Arizona Western in 2012, and played quarterback, receiver and safety at Wisconsin from 2013-15. He had 14 career receptions for 253 yards and two touchdowns in two seasons with the Seahawks.
Grant, a return specialist entering his third season with the Dolphins, earned considerable praise from Gase.
Grant’s progress offensively in preseason practice, Gase said, “makes it tough” for players like Isaiah Ford, Leonte Carroo, Rashawn Scott and Drew Morgan to make the Dolphins final roster.
“I think Jakeem has really found something where he’s contributing on offense, and we really like him at the spot we’ve been playing him,” Gase said. “I think moving outside last year was huge for us and for him, and he feels comfortable. And most corners are not happy to see him because of his speed, and he’s not making plays, and he’s been better at catching the ball consistently.”
OL Larsen expected back
Gase expects offensive lineman Ted Larsen to return to practice this week as Miami prepares for its season opener.
Larsen, who started eight games last season, was injured during the final preseason practice last Tuesday. He is expected to play a major role as a reserve offensive lineman, at center and guard, for the Dolphins this season.
“Made it through camp, and you’d hate for anything like that to happen,” said Larsen, who wore a compression sleeve on his left leg. “I feel good, all things considering.”
The Dolphins are thin at the interior spots on the offensive line because Jake Brendel, who served as the backup center last season, has missed all but one practice because of a calf injury this camp. Brendel was kept Miami’s 53-man roster, but there’s a possibility he could be headed to injured reserve in the coming days.
Zach Sterup, an offensive tackle, is the offensive line’s only backup outside of Larsen and Brendel.
“We probably were scared more than anything,” Gase said of Larsen’s injury. “It looked bad the way he went down. I know I was sitting there going, ‘This is perfect.’ About this time of the year … and you have one of those kind of injuries.
“But as he said, it’s a good thing he has tree trunks for legs.”
Roster moves
Ford, Carroo, guard Isaac Asiata, cornerback Jalen Davis, center Connor Hilland, running back Jeremy Langford, defensive end Cameron Malveaux, defensive tackle Jamiyus Pittman, linebacker Quentin Poling and defensive end Jonathan Woodard were all added to the Dolphins’ practice squad on Sunday.
The Dolphins also placed Brendel and linebacker Mike Hull on injured reserve, and released offensive tackle Sam Young.
The Houston Texans on Sunday claimed running back Buddy Howell, a former Florida Atlantic standout cut by the Dolphins.