The Dolphins are adding three veterans to their linebacker corps in the wake of the most recent injuries, one of whom is familiar with the team’s opponent this weekend in the first round of the playoffs. Outside linebackers Bruce Irvin and Justin Houston were added to Miami’s 53-man roster on Tuesday. The Miami Herald was informed by a league source that Malik Reed is also being signed by the Dolphins to the practice squad. The Kansas City Chiefs were Houston’s team for the first eight seasons of his playing career. Houston will be 35 on January 21. Miami’s road matchup against Kansas City is this Saturday night.
Houston signed a one-year contract with the Carolina Panthers, but the team released him in December. He played in seven games with a half-sack. Houston is tied for third place among active players with 112 career sacks. Houston, who played for the Chiefs, was selected to the Pro Bowl four times and the All-Pro team once. Houston, a 2011 third-round selection, has also been a member of the Colts and Ravens. Houston finished the 2022 season with 9.5 sacks in Baltimore. In his 13-year career, Houston has participated in nine postseason games.
The Detroit Lions released Irvin, 36, last week after he made two appearances and recorded one sack in December. Irvin, a 2012 first-round selection of the Seattle Seahawks, has also played for the Raiders, Falcons, Bears, and Panthers. With 85 sacks in his career.
The 27-year-old Reed was waived prior to the start of the regular season, despite having signed a one-year contract with the Dolphins during the offseason. He was a member of the Denver Broncos defense line, where he was coached by Vic Fangio. In 2020, he had a career-high eight sacks. This season, Reed has made four appearances for the Raiders and has three tackles. Vegas fired Reed on December 21.
With the top three players in the position group expected to miss the wild card round clash, the veteran outside linebackers provide the Dolphins with much-needed depth and experience. Coach Mike McDaniel said on Monday that players Andrew Van Ginkel (foot) and Cameron Goode (knee) will miss the whole postseason due to injuries they suffered in the team’s regular-season finale loss to the Buffalo Bills. Along with Bradley Chubb (knee) and Jaelan Phillips (achilles), these edge defenders have also suffered injuries that will terminate their seasons. Jerome Baker, an inside linebacker with the ability to play outside linebacker, had a wrist injury against Buffalo that required surgery and will keep him out of the game for the remainder of the season. Van Ginkel, Baker, and Goode were placed on injured reserve by Miami. On the Dolphins’ active roster, one space is available.
Emmanuel Ogbah was the only edge defender on the 53-man roster for the Dolphins prior to the moves. Melvin Ingram is a contender to be added to the active roster after being promoted from the practice squad throughout the previous three weeks. Zach Sieler and Christian Wilkins, interior defensive linemen, might play edge defense against the Chiefs after seeing snaps against the Bills.