Team, Misi restructure contract

The Miami Dolphins have restructured linebacker Koa Misi’s contract, the Sun Sentinel has confirmed, lowering his salary cap hit but giving him more guaranteed money. The exact terms of the deal aren’t yet known. Misi, who will have his neck injury re-evaluated in May, was scheduled to earn about $4.1 million for the 2017 season. What remains unclear about Misi, 30, is the status of his neck injury. General manager Chris Grier seemed concerned at the NFL scouting combine last month.

“Koa right now is coming off significant neck surgery so we’ve just got to see where it is,” Grier said. “But right now he’s in our plans. We’ll see. He’s got a checkup again in May so it’ll be probably the first time we’ll really know where he’ll stand in terms of his football career going forward.”

Misi’s agent, Kenny Zuckerman, said he expects Misi’s injury issue to be resolved in May.

“He’s supposed to be cleared in May,” Zuckerman said. “He’s doing well. We see no setback.”

The Dolphins signed inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons this offseason and re-signed linebacker Kiko Alonso, who likely will move to weakside from the middle, on Tuesday. There’s presumably a starting job available on the strongside.

Misi had 22 tackles last season and 78 in 2015 while playing 13 games, all starts. Misi started 11 games in 2014 and ended with 64 tackles.

For his career, Misi has 358 tackles, 12 sacks and two forced fumbles.

The Dolphins also have a host of other linebackers on the roster, though not all strongside linebackers, including Spencer Paysinger, Neville Hewitt, who got extensive playing time last season, Mike Hull, Trevor Riley, Deon Lacey, Lamin Barrow and Brandon Watts.

Zuckerman said he hasn’t discussed Misi’s role with the team for the 2017 season.

“I’m not sure what they’re planning on doing,” he said, “but I’d expect a similar role to what he played last year.”