Kenneth Grant is finally set to make his 2026 debut for the Miami Dolphins, and that was the headliner in a busy Saturday of roster moves before Week 5 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Miami activated Grant off injured reserve after he got through the week in practice without any setbacks. The first-round pick missed the opening four games with a toe injury, but he’s now back in the mix and expected to slide into the Dolphins’ defensive tackle rotation alongside Zach Sieler, Jordan Philips and Zeek Biggers.
To clear a spot for Grant on the 53-man roster, the Dolphins waived Brady Cook. Cook had been serving as the emergency third quarterback through the first four games, so Miami will go into the Bengals matchup with just two available passers: starter Malik Willis and Kyle McCord. Cook is likely to end up back on the practice squad after he clears waivers.
Miami also elevated running back Carlos Washington Jr. and edge defender Rodney McGraw from the practice squad for Sunday’s game.
Washington is needed because newcomer Kaytron Allen, claimed off waivers from the Washington Commanders on Friday, is too new to the team to contribute right away. Washington had already been up for the game against the Minnesota Vikings last weekend, when he was active but did not play in the 15-10 loss.
McGraw is getting his second straight elevation after turning enough heads against the Vikings to earn another shot. The move also suggests he’s currently sitting ahead of rookie seventh-round pick Max Llewellyn on the depth chart.
The Dolphins did not activate cornerback Storm Duck from Reserve/PUP, even though he was a full participant in practice all week. Duck, who has been working back from his 2025 knee injury, was downgraded to OUT on Saturday’s injury report. Miami now has one more full week of practice before it has to either activate him or keep him on PUP for the rest of the 2026 season.
Grant’s return stands out most because of what he brings to the front. Without naming names, head coach Jeff Hafley said this week that Grant’s presence gives the defense more flexibility up front, including the ability to move one of the interior linemen outside. In practical terms, that points to Biggers.
The Dolphins’ recent elevations have been rotating as needed: Week 2 at San Francisco included Edge Clelin Ferrell for the second time and Edge Max Llewellyn for the first; Week 3 against Kansas City featured Edge Clelin Ferrell for the third time and LB Liam Anderson for the first; Week 4 at Minnesota brought DT Mazi Smith and EDGE Rodney McGraw up for the first time; and now for Week 5 against Cincinnati, it’s RB Carlos Washington Jr. for the first time and EDGE Rodney McGraw for the second.
In Other News...
Josh Allen Concern Grows As Bills Face A Protection Problem
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For Miami, the broader AFC East picture still matters, especially with the Dolphins trying to find their own footing. Malik Willis has been pushing the message that the excuses have to stop now that the season is underway, and that the team needs to own its mistakes and improve rather than lean on youth or a new system. After a better showing against the Raiders and a setback against the Vikings, the Dolphins are still searching for consistency, while the Bills are trying to keep their quarterback upright and their offense on schedule. [Read more 🡒]
Dolphins Could Finally Unleash Malik Willis Against A Vulnerable Bengals Defense
Malik Willis has been used sparingly as a runner this season, which has made his mobility more of a background note than a central part of Miamis attack. Still, the Dolphins have reason to revisit that element against Cincinnati, where the matchup offers a chance to stress a defense that has been vulnerable in the back end and put more on Willis beyond simple pocket work.
The Bengals personnel situation could make that even more appealing, with injuries and changes across both sides shaping how the game gets called. If Miami sees room to move Willis around and attack vertically, the Dolphins may finally have a spot where his legs and arm can work together instead of one fading behind the other. [Read more 🡒]
Dolphins Face A Huge Offensive Test In A Bengals Game That Changed Fast
The Dolphins Week 5 meeting with the Bengals at Hard Rock Stadium has gone from a straightforward test to a lot more complicated, with injuries piling up on both sides and several key players carrying uncertain status into Sunday. Miami comes in trying to find its first win under coaches Jon-Eric Sullivan and Jeff Hafley, while also trying to solve an offense that has struggled to produce enough points to stay ahead of the game.
Cincinnati has dropped its last two games, but the matchup still carries plenty of danger for a Dolphins defense and an offense looking to settle in. The Bengals passing game remains the centerpiece of the matchup, and Miamis side of it is about more than just getting healthy bodies on the field - it is about whether the Dolphins can keep a shaky stretch from turning into a deeper early-season hole. [Read more 🡒]