Backup QB Sinnett, 11 other practice squad players get re- signed
The Miami Dolphins wasted little time retaining the majority of players on last season’s practice squad.
On Tuesday the Dolphins signed backup quarterback Reid Sinnett and 11 other players who spent the majority of the 2020 season — if not all of it — on the team’s practice squad.
Sinnett, a former University of San Diego quarterback Miami signed before the start of the 2020 season and activated for two games, joins Tua Tagovailoa as the only quarterbacks under contract going into the 2021 season.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, the 16- year veteran who started 21 games for the Dolphins the past two seasons, and Jake Rudock, who was signed last week, are slated to become unrestricted free agents.
Tight end Chris Mayrick, who has spent the past two years on Miami’s practice squad, was also re- signed, as was defensive end Nick Coe, safety Brian Cole, cornerbacks Javaris Davis and Tino Ellis, offensive linemen Tyler Gauthier, Jonathan Hubbard and Durval Queiroz Neto, defensive end Tyshun Render, linebacker Kylan Johnson and long snapper Rex Sunahara. They were all signed to reserve/ futures contracts, which are usually for the NFL minimum.
The futures contract ensures that these developing players will be eligible to participate in Miami’s offseason program and can participate in training camp if they stay on the team’s 90- player offseason roster.
At this point, it is unclear whether the NFL will have an on- campus offseason program because of COVID- 19. Last year the entire offseason program was done virtually as players trained on their own and attended meetings virtually before the start of training camp.
Receivers Marcus Kemp, Kirk Merritt, Andre Patton and cornerback Akeem King were not signed to future’s contracts Tuesday, but they remain on the practice squad for one more week.
Team awards
Standout cornerback Xavien Howard was n a med t h e Dolphins’ Dan Marino Most Valuable Player, quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick earned the Don Shula Leadership Award and safety Bobby McCain was named the team’s Ed Block Courage Award winner.
It ’s Howard’s second time winning the Dan Marino Team MVP after also winning the award in 2018. Howard is the eighth player to win the team MVP award at least twice, joining Bob Griese ( 1967- 68, 1970- 71, 1974, 1977), Larry Csonka ( 1973, 1979), Marino ( 1983- 92, 199495), Zach Thomas ( 1996, 2001), O. J. McDuffie ( 1997- 98), Jason Taylor ( 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006) and Ricky Williams ( 2002, 2009).
Howard tied the franchise record with 10 interceptions, matching Dick Westmoreland’s total in 1967.
Fitzpatrick also won the Don Shula Leadership Award last year and is just the ninth player to earn the honor multiple times since it was established in 1989. The award is voted on by teammates.
McCain won the team’s Ed Block Courage Award for first time.
He had his 2019 season cut short after nine games due to a shoulder injury. McCain bounced back in 2020 to play in all 16 games, including 15 starts.