Harris making his case
DAVIE Miami Dolphins outside linebacker/ defensive end Charles Harris may have two more games to prove if he’s worth a roster spot during the team’s rebuilding process.
Harris, Miami’s firstround pick in 2017, was a healthy scratch from the lineup for the first time in his career in last Sunday’s loss to the New York Giants.
Harris has played in 40 games, and has just 3.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss to show for it.
And he could find himself cut from the Dolphins roster next March despite being under contract for next season.
“I take them one at a time,” Harris said of his game-to-game approach when asked if he’ll be with the team in 2020. “That’s not my decision. That’s their decision. I’m a player. I ain’t no GM. I ain’t no VP. I just do my job.”
It was presumed a scheme change under Dolphins coach Brian Flores would make a difference for
Harris during his career. During a preseason game, Harris sacked Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston 1.5 times, which now seemed to be a mirage of that potential.
Harris has played in 13 games with five starts this season, registering just half a sack, six quarterback hits and 23 tackles.
Harris is owed the remaining $1.9 million of his four-year $10 million rookie contract, which netted him a $6 million signing bonus. He’s guaranteed to make $1.6 million if he is on the roster at the beginning of new league year in March.
If the Dolphins were to cut Harris this offseason, they would save just $291,000 to the salary cap while incurring a $3,158,797 cap hit for his salary owed and the prorated portion of his initial singing bonus.
While the Dolphins will likely ponder that predicament in the offseason, Harris believes he can make the most of his opportunities in practice and the final two games — if active — to persuade the team to honor the rest of his deal.
“Yeah I believe so. I definitely do,” he said. “Just take advantage of every opportunity.”
Injury report: All 53 Dolphins players practiced on Wednesday, but six players were limited due to injury.
They were Dolphins receivers DeVante Parker (hip), Albert Wilson (hip) and Allen Hurns (ankle/ knee), cornerback Nik Needham (groin), fullback Chandler Cox (shoulder) and defensive tackle Zach Sieler (ankle).