Former FSU linebacker Smith added to roster

The Miami Dolphins are working to fortify a linebacker unit that remained thinned out by injuries suffered during the first three weeks of training camp.

On Sunday the Dolphins signed veteran linebacker Terrance Smith, who played in 31 games and started three for the Kansas City Chiefs the past three seasons.

To make room for Smith, Miami waived injured defensive end Jonathan Woodard, which means he’ll either receive an injury settlement or be placed on Miami’s injury reserve.

Woodard, who played in six games with the Dolphins last season, began training camp as a first-teamer, but has been sidelined by an undisclosed injury for the past two weeks.

The emergence of Tank Carradine, who had replaced Woodard as starter and was one of Miami’s top performers in Thursday night’s preseason win over the Atlanta Falcons, and the recent signing of Robert Nkemdiche, who is on Miami’s PUP, eases the loss of Woodard.

Miami’s linebacker unit has been thinned out because of injuries that have kept Raekwon McMillan, Kiko Alonso and Chase Allen, all former starters, from practicing. And Mike Hull, a veteran linebacker respected for his special teams work, was put on injured reserve last week.

Smith, a former Florida State standout, has recorded 29 career tackles (20 solo), one sack, one interception and broke up two passes during his NFL career.

Smith is coming back from a knee injury he suffered in October, which kept him unsigned during the offseason while he rehabbed.

He’s likely competing with Tre Watson, Tyrone Holmes, Quentin Poling and Terrill Hanks to become one of the backup linebackers kept on the 53-man roster.