Reports: Miami Dolphins Sign Guard Eric Steinbach

Multiple media outlets are reporting that the Miami Dolphins have signed free agent guard Eric Steinbach. Steinbach sat out all of 2011 with a back injury, and was courted by several teams already this offseason. He worked out previously with the Baltimore Ravens, but has chosen to sign with the Dolphins.

Steinbach served as a starting guard for the Cleveland Browns from 2007 to 2010. He played college football at the University of Iowa, where Miami's head coach Joe Philbin was his offensive line coach.

The signing of Stenbach further strengthens the belief that current Dolphins guard John Jerry has lost the support of the coaching staff. The Dolphins are transitioning to a zone blocking scheme this year, and Jerry is believed to be too heavy to be effective in the system. The team had replaced Jerry with free agent signing, tackle Artis Hicks during minicamps, and were thought to be pursuing a veteran guard, specifically Jake Scott, prior to this signing.

Jerry may find himself released, or placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list if he fails to pass today's conditioning tests as the Dolphins open their 2012 training camp.

No announcement of who the team had waived to make space for the addition of Steinbach has been made.