QB signed to practice squad

MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Dolphins added a new quarterback on Wednesday, but not the one everyone’s talking about.

The Dolphins signed Jake Dolegala, a former Central Connecticut State standout who has been with three other NFL organizations, to their practice squad, coach Brian Flores announced on Wednesday ahead of the team’s walkthrough.

Dolegala will be the team’s No. 3 quarterback behind Tua Tagovailoa and Jacoby Brissett. The move comes after Miami lost former third-stringer Reid Sinnett to the Philadelphia Eagles, who claimed him off waivers Monday. The Dolphins hoped they’d be able to sign Sinnett back to their practice squad after waiving him on Saturday to make room on the active roster for receiver Isaiah Ford.

Dolegala spent the 2019 season on the Cincinnati Bengals’ 53-man roster after going undrafted. He has since bounced back and forth between the New England Patriots’ and Green Bay Packers’ practice squads, with two stints on each.

In his four-year career as a starter at Central Connecticut, Dolegala threw for 8,129 yards and 48 touchdowns. Reports continue to swirl linking the Dolphins to star Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, who faces legal trouble with 22 civil suits of sexual misconduct, including two of sexual assault.

“Tua’s our quarterback,” Flores said Wednesday. “I’ve said that multiple times.”

New reports on Wednesday also indicated that the Carolina Panthers are backing out of trade talks for Watson.

Injury updates: The three Dolphins (1-6) that missed last Sunday’s loss to the Falcons — wide receiver DeVante Parker, center Greg Mancz and cornerback Noah Igbinoghene — were seen at the start of the team’s Wednesday walkthrough after Flores said they would participate.

The same goes for linebacker Jerome Baker, who left the game with a knee injury and has been characterized as “day-to-day.”

Baker, Parker (shoulder/ hamstring), Mancz (groin) and Igbinoghene (knee/ankle) were all listed as limited on Wednesday’s injury report in an estimation of what their status would be for a full practice.

“Kind of working through the issue with the injury,” Flores said of Baker. “Hopefully, he’ll be out there for true practice on Thursday.”

Parker has missed three straight weeks, all while wide receiver Will Fuller has also been on injured reserve with a broken finger and not expected to be available this Sunday.

“Hopeful that he can string a couple of good days of practice Thursday and Friday,” Flores said of Parker, “and we’ll see if he’s available for the game.”

On Mancz and Igbinoghene, Flores said, “Both still getting treatment. Again, it’s a walkthrough today. They’ll both be at the walkthrough, but getting better, moving in the right direction.”

The Dolphins also listed cornerbacks Xavien Howard (shoulder/ groin) and Byron Jones (Achilles/ groin) as limited, along with linebackers Elandon Roberts (shoulder) and Jaelan Phillips (ankle) and safety Brandon Jones. Tagovailoa (ribs), fellow quarterback Jacoby Brissett (hamstring) and defensive tackle Zach Sieler (rib) were all deemed full participants.

For the Bills, tight end Dawson Knox (hand) and offensive lineman Spencer Brown (back) did not participate Wednesday. Wide receiver Cole Beasley took a veteran rest day, and defensive tackle Justin Zimmer was limited with a foot ailment.

New additions: Flores also touched on the Dolphins’ signing of former Miami Hurricanes running back Duke Johnson to the practice squad.

“Experienced player,” Flores said. “Good runner, good in the pass game. Been a productive player in the league.”

Both of the UM grads the Dolphins signed this week, Johnson and safety Sheldrick Redwine were at Wednesday’s walkthrough. Redwine, who was signed to the active roster with safety Jason McCourty on injured reserve, was wearing No. 20. Johnson wore No. 28, and the new quarterback, Dolegala, donned a No. 16 practice jersey.

Flores said the team will take a look between Johnson and fellow practice squad backs Gerrid Doaks and Patrick Laird to determine if one could potentially get elevated to the active roster behind Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed for this Sunday’s game at the Bills (4-2).