The Miami Dolphins had to make a tough call on a rookie they clearly liked.
On August 18, 2026, the team waived/injured edge Mason Reiger and signed edge Seth Coleman-Lyles, ending Reiger’s immediate bid for a 53-man roster spot. Reiger, an undrafted rookie out of Wisconsin, had been building momentum and looked like a player who could push for a job before an injury derailed that chance.
Reiger’s upside never really went unnoticed. He had the kind of physical traits head coach Jeff Hafley wants, and the Dolphins believed enough in him to hand him a $150,000 fully guaranteed deal after the draft.
That was the second-highest guarantee on the team. So while the timing of the move stings, Reiger is in a decent spot financially and may not be far from Miami again.
The bigger issue is the knee injury that slowed him down after a standout 2023 season at Louisville. The Dolphins did not disclose the nature of the injury, but it was serious enough to put his season in jeopardy. If Reiger clears waivers, which is likely, he would return to Miami and land on injured reserve, ending his season but setting him up for a fresh start next offseason once he’s recovered.
Even before the roster move, Reiger had already flashed. He logged a sack against the Commanders in the fourth quarter on Friday night, one of just three sacks the Dolphins recorded in that game.
Miami’s replacement for him, Coleman-Lyles, was with the Dolphins earlier this offseason before being released earlier this month. He’s back now because the team has been dealing with injuries along the defensive line, including missed practice time from Kenneth Grant and Zach Sieler. With camp only 13 practices in, Coleman-Lyles should get extra reps and a shot to make a case for the practice squad.
The Dolphins also have other young edge types in the mix. Trey Moore has been taking plenty of practice reps and saw a lot of action Friday night, while Max Llewellyn has been showing his potential in practice.
The real question on Miami’s defensive front isn’t whether there’s enough depth. It’s whether there’s enough experience.
Chop Robinson has been the clear starter and has had a strong camp, while Josh Uche is expected to help on the other side. The Dolphins are hoping their rookie investments can keep that unit moving forward, and Reiger was one of the players trying to carve out a place in it.
In Other News...
Dolphins Offensive Line Is Turning Heads Before A Bigger Test Arrives
The Dolphins starting offensive line has started to settle in just as the preseason ramps up, and the early signs have been encouraging. Limited reps against the Washington Commanders offered a first look, and the group carried that momentum into later practices, where Jonah Savaiinaea and Austin Jackson drew praise for both run blocking and pass protection. For a unit that has been under the microscope all summer, showing clean work in practice matters as much as any single snap.
Behind the starters, the depth chart is also taking shape in a way Miami needs it to, especially with the bigger tests still ahead. Caeden Wallace has been standing out since the trade, giving the Dolphins a useful backup option while the coaches sort through the rest of the interior mix. And with Jamaree Salyer now out for the season, the room has even less margin for error, which only raises the importance of every strong practice rep between now and the next real game. [Read more 🡒]
Quinn Ewers Suddenly Faces A Real Dolphins Question
The Dolphins got their first preseason look at 2026 in a loss to Washington, and the more revealing part may have been what happened behind the starter. Quinn Ewers, working through a groin injury, never found much rhythm in the opener, finishing with one completion on eight throws for 27 yards and an interception as Miami continued sorting out the backup quarterback picture behind Malik Willis.
For a team trying to build around Willis and clarify its long-term depth chart, Ewers uneven showing adds another layer to a decision that already mattered. Preseason is still early, and one game is only one game, but Miami now has a real question to answer about how much trust it can place in Ewers if it needs him to be more than just an arm in camp. [Read more 🡒]
Dolphins Keep Sending A Clear Message About Their Pass Rush Depth
The Dolphins are again adding to their edge-rush group as they continue to sort through the bottom of the roster ahead of Preseason Week 2. Seth Coleman-Lyles is back in the picture, bringing some familiarity to a unit that has seen a steady stream of recent signings and some notable absences along the defensive line as Miami keeps looking for workable depth.
Coleman-Lyles has already spent time with the Seahawks and Colts, and his return gives the Dolphins another body to evaluate in camp as they try to stabilize a position that can change quickly in August. For Miami, the move fits a broader pattern of keeping the competition open and making sure there are enough options on hand if the defensive front is tested again in the coming days. [Read more 🡒]