Miami Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley didn’t offer a final roster answer on Saturday, but he did make one thing clear: the quarterback room is trending toward two.
Hafley met with reporters a day after Miami’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons dropped the team to 0-3 in the preseason. With the Dolphins facing a hard roster deadline of 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30, cuts have already started, and the focus now is on getting from 90 players down to 53.
“We are going through the process right now. Jeff will defer roster cut questions to Jon-Eric Sullivan, who will speak with reporters in the next few days.”
The coach also said Kenneth Grant remains a live conversation, and that his status for the opener will become clearer as the week goes on. Tight end Will Kacmarek, meanwhile, is “week to week” and will be out this week.
At quarterback, Hafley said the team is “likely to keep two quarterbacks.” That would point to Quinn Ewers being on the initial 53-man roster, though the source notes his spot could still be affected by a veteran cut.
The backfield is less settled. Hafley said the Dolphins may or may not keep four tailbacks.
The source notes Miami just traded for running back Jarquez Hunter, which would seem to put him in line for the roster. If the Dolphins go with only three running backs, the source says it would likely mean Jaylen Wright or Ollie Gordon II was traded.
Hafley also defended the decision to hold many starters out of the preseason. In his view, that approach is the best way to handle the roster as Miami tries to stay healthy for the opener.
The coaching staff is now shifting into regular-season mode. Game-planning begins this week, with preparations for the Las Vegas game set to start immediately.
“We are young,” Hafley said. “And we have three new system. This is the infancy.”
He added: “We are thin. We have to develop the depth of the team.”
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