The Miami Dolphins’ running back situation has thinned out enough that the team is turning to a fresh face for help, and that face belongs to Coleman Bennett.
Bennett, a 24-year-old Fort Lauderdale native, is reportedly set to sign with Miami as the Dolphins sort through their 53-man roster. He had spent time with the Bears during the offseason, in training camp, and in Chicago’s first preseason game before being waived on August 17.
Miami’s backfield picture was already unsettled, and it looked even shakier on Wednesday when neither Ollie Gordon II nor Donovan Edwards was seen at practice. That left De'Von Achane, Jaylen Wright, and Carlos Washington Jr. as the available options. Wright, in particular, is coming off a subpar performance against the New York Giants.
Bennett’s path to this point has been a winding one. After playing at Cardinal Gibbons High School, he spent from 2021 to 2023 at Bucknell, then transferred to Rice, where his offensive role was limited. His most productive college season came last year at Kennesaw State, when he ran for 764 yards and four touchdowns on 157 carries and helped the Owls win the 2025 Conference USA Championship.
He also brought value in the return game and even as a receiver. Bennett was named a 2023 First Team All-Patriot League Return Specialist, and at Rice he was used more often as a kick returner than as a ball carrier, logging 16 kick returns and only two rushing attempts. Kennesaw State also tapped into his versatility, using him at wide receiver, where he caught 27 passes for 314 yards and three scores.
Chicago got a brief look at him earlier this month. In the Bears’ 34-10 preseason win over Cleveland, Bennett carried four times for 10 yards and scored a goal-line touchdown. He did not appear in Chicago’s next game against Cincinnati.
At 5-11 and 203 pounds, Bennett brings a physical style and enough upper-body strength to make defenders work for every stop. He is not a burner - his Pro Day 40-yard dash came in at 4.71 - but he has the agility and toughness to slip contact and keep plays alive.
That versatility may be his biggest selling point. Bennett has experience at running back, kick returner, and wide receiver, and Miami is hoping he can help soak up work in the preseason finale against Atlanta on Friday night. He is expected to see a healthy workload on August 28, with the Dolphins bringing him in four days before roster cuts primarily to handle backfield reps.
A spot on the 53-man roster still looks like a long shot, but a strong showing could at least put Bennett in position to land on the practice squad.
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