Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Wide receiver Callaway, former Gators standout, cut from roster
The Miami Dolphins waived wide receiver Antonio Callaway on Monday, ending the former University of Florida and Miami Booker T. Washington High standout’s time with the team two weeks before the end of the 2020 regular season.
Callaway had a chance to earn significant playing time as the Dolphins have dealt with injuries to several key playmakers. But the opportunity did not amount to much.
After serving a lengthy suspension to start the season while on the Dolphins practice squad, Callaway played in just five games, where he had one start and caught only two passes.
Callaway saw his workload reach 22 snaps against the Kansas City Chiefs on Dec. 13, but he did not play any offensive snaps in Miami’s latest 22-12 win over the New England Patriots on Sunday.
Callaway did line up for two punt return snaps on special teams in each of the past two games. Otherwise, his workload was rather limited.
Callaway’s release comes roughly four days after he missed a Dolphins practice last Thursday due to an unspecified reason that was not injury related.
Callaway, who played at UF from 2015-17, has caught 53 passes for 685 yards with five touchdowns in 25 NFL games since being drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 2018.
He was cut by Cleveland in November 2019 and had a brief stint with the XFL’s Tampa Bay Vipers from January to April, before joining the Dolphins.
Now, the Dolphins will finish their season with two games and a playoff berth at stake, hoping some injured contributors are able to return.
The Dolphins’ leading receiver DeVante Parker missed his first game in two seasons due to a hamstring injury Sunday, while leading touchdown catcher, tight end Mike Gesicki, has a shoulder injury that caused him to miss the first game of his three-year career.
Receiver and return specialist Jakeem Grant also missed the Patriots game due to a hamstring injury.
The Dolphins have welcomed receiver Isaiah Ford back into the fold after a trade to New England, while rookies such as Lynn Bowden Jr. and Malcolm Perry and veteran Mack Hollins have also contributed when given their opportunities.
The Dolphins (9-5) will face the Las Vegas Raiders (7-7) on the road Saturday night before ending the season on the road against the AFC East champion Buffalo Bills on Jan. 3.
Miami, currently the No. 7 and final seed in the AFC playoff race, needs a win in both games to secure a playoff spot for the first time since 2016.