Dolphins sign McKinley to 53-man roster
The Dolphins have signed rookie safety Verone McKinley III from the practice squad to the 53-man roster ahead of Sunday’s home game against the Cleveland Browns.
The team also elevated offensive tackle Kion Smith from the practice squad.
McKinley is expected to contribute at the safety spot opposite Jevon Holland. Since Brandon Jones sustained a seasonending ACL injury in
Week 7, the Dolphins have used multiple players to fill his void, including McKinley, Eric Rowe and Elijah Campbell.
“What I like is that they give us versatility for different sorts of packages week-in and week-out,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said Friday, “kind of like I look at offensive personnel where you can utilize specific skill sets for given matchups.”
The Dolphins had used their three allotted callups for McKinley, who originally signed with the team as an undrafted free agent. McKinley fills the vacant spot on the active roster.
McKinley has appeared in two games and made his first career start against the Detroit Lions in Week 8. He has played 64 defensive snaps and recorded two tackles.
It’s the second elevation this season for Smith, who has yet to appear in a game this season. The move signals that right tackle Austin Jackson, who is questionable to play because of an ankle and calf injury, is not yet ready to return to the field.
ELSEWHERE
● Steelers: One star in, one star out for Pittsburgh’s defense.
The Steelers activated outside linebacker T.J. Watt off injured reserve on Saturday, clearing the way for him to return for Sunday’s visit from New Orleans.
Watt, the 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, hasn’t played since tearing his left pectoral in a Week 1 win over Cincinnati. He underwent minor knee surgery during his stay on IR but returned to practice two weeks ago. On Friday, he said he’s ready to play.
The Steelers (2-6) struggled without Watt, dropping six of seven without the three-time All-Pro and generating just eight sacks. Pittsburgh had seven sacks against the Bengals with Watt in the lineup.
Pittsburgh ruled out safety Minkah Fitzpatrick for the game against the Saints (3-6) with an appendix issue.
The Steelers also placed recently acquired cornerback William Jackson on injured reserve with a back injury. Jackson had back problems with Washington before being traded to Pittsburgh just before the Nov. 2 deadline.
● Buccaneers: Tom Brady got a full dose of Germany on Friday when he was presented with Bavarian lederhosen before being questioned about his personal life.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback responded that he doesn’t feel remorse returning for another season.
“Zero, no, definitely not,” Brady told a crowded news conference at a Bayern Munich facility ahead of Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks. “I think I returned because I felt like I wanted to compete. I spoke to the team about it, and they were excited to have me back.”
Brady and Gisele Bündchen recently announced that their divorce is finalized.
Brady was asked by a German reporter about on- and off-field challenges and whether he felt remorse about unretiring.
“I don’t really regret those types of things,” the seven-time Super Bowl champion said. “I think when I commit to it, I mean it and I do my best and try to give everything I can to this particular opportunity.”
Another local reporter asked about how he copes with personal and professional challenges.
“You do the best you can do every day and, yeah, that’s what I’ve been trying to do, be the best I can be for my family and for my teammates,” the 45-year-old said.
Brady later explained that he loves the daily routine of the job, as well as the victories like the 16-13 comeback win over the Los Angeles Rams last week. He’s been able to play so long, he said, “because it’s never really felt like work.
“It’s hard for me to believe I’m still playing at this age, but I enjoy it and I love competing,” Brady said. “Certainly, games like last week are reasons why we do do it because there’s a thrill of victory that is hard to probably replicate at home on Xbox or something like that.”
Coach Todd Bowles spoke before Brady and marveled at the size of the crowd: “I’m sure they didn’t come to see me.”
Early in Brady’s session, an editor from German broadcaster ProSieben surprised the quarterback — and everyone else — when he rose from the front row to present Brady with lederhosen.
“That looks nice,” a gracious Brady said to Robert Salkowsky, who explained that it was specially made for Brady with Bucs and TB12 logos.
“We are very proud to have you here in Munich and want you always to have good memories when you think back to Munich,” Salkowsky said.
Brady held up the lederhosen — shorts with suspenders — and said “How would that look going out to the game in that?”