Ex-FSU star O’Leary on roster, Falk on IR
DAVIE The Miami Dolphins on Friday promoted former Florida State standout tight end Nick O’Leary to their 53-man roster, and placed fourthstring rookie quarterback Luke Falk on injured reserve, ahead of Sunday’s Week 5 road matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
O’Leary, a Dwyer High School graduate who spent three seasons with the Bills, will be the third tight end on the Dolphins roster. He joins two rookies in Mike Gesicki and Durham Smythe. A.J. Derby will miss his second straight game with a foot injury.
O’Leary, who signed with the Dolphins practice squad on Sept. 19, caught 32 passes for 473 yards and two touchdowns in 35 games with the Bills.
“He’s trying to learn things as fast as possible,” Dolphins coach Adam Gase said of O’Leary last week. “He has game experience, obviously. I remember him scoring a touchdown against us. That was the first thing that came to mind. I remember when he came out [of Florida State], I remember evaluating him and really liking him as a pass catcher. He’s impressed me as a run blocker as well.”
Gesicki, a second-round pick out of Penn State, has been targeted seven times in the passing game this season, with five catches for 51 yards. He is expected to be the Dolphins’ starter at the position moving forward.
Smythe, a fourth-round pick out of Notre Dame, has only been targeted once in the passing game, but has appeared in all four games this season.
Falk, a sixth-round pick who was claimed off waivers from the Titans before the season, missed Friday’s practice to visit a hand specialist after suffering a fractured left, non-throwing wrist this week.
Falk, who was in a loaded quarterback room with starter Ryan Tannehill, backup Brock Osweiler and reserve David Fales, is the seventh Dolphins player on injured reserve this season.
“He was doing well for us,” Gase said of Falk. “He was really … mainly working with [offensive coordinator] Dowell [Loggains] after practice was really the biggest thing. … When I watch him throw, I really like how the ball comes out of his hand. He’s a very confident kid. He’s smart. He’s been a fun guy to be around.”
Falk joins center Daniel Kilgore (triceps), defensive end William Hayes (ACL), tight end MarQueis Gray (Achilles), left guard Josh Sitton (shoulder), linebacker Mike Hull (knee) and center Jake Brendel (calf ) on the injured list.