The Miami Dolphins have opened the door for Jamaree Salyer to find his next stop sooner than expected.
Salyer, who had been viewed as a possible challenger for Jonah Savaiinaea’s job before an injury derailed his camp, was placed on injured reserve and initially looked headed for a lost 2026 season. But Miami has now released the offensive lineman with an injury settlement, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported. That gives Salyer a chance to sign elsewhere once he is healthy later in the season, and it could also let him land with a playoff-bound team that needs help.
For the Dolphins, the move is largely procedural. Salyer was not taking up a roster spot, and his salary was not an issue. Still, the release does allow him to recover on his own timeline and potentially hook on with another team down the road.
There is even a path for him to return to Miami this season. NFL rules permit a player released with an injury settlement to re-sign with the same team, though only after a waiting period.
That timeline depends on the settlement terms. If Miami pays him for six weeks, the team would have to wait those six weeks plus three more before he could come back.
What remains unchanged is Miami’s concern up front. The Dolphins have struggled to build reliable depth behind their starters, and the situation has only gotten shakier.
Third-team center Jim Bonifas was recently released, and while there had been an expectation that he might push Andrew Meyer for the backup role behind Aaron Brewer, that never happened. Meyer, meanwhile, has not impressed either.
Salyer had been brought in as part of the answer there, but his injury changed everything. With roster cuts approaching, Miami will need to keep a close eye on the waiver wire. Teams must be roster-compliant by 6:00 p.m. on August 30, just two days after the Dolphins finish their preseason on Friday night.
Trades are another possibility over the next few days, especially for clubs looking to shed veteran salaries or collect draft capital. The Dolphins are not expected to part with picks, but a player-for-player deal would not be surprising this late in the summer.
However it plays out, the next six days are going to bring plenty of movement. For Miami, the biggest issue is clear: the offensive line depth is still thin, and that leaves the team walking a tightrope entering the season.
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