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Dolphins possibly promoting Isaako Aaitui - UPDATED

The Miami Dolphins have an open roster spot after waiving defensive tackle Austin Martin this week. Despite all the speculation and rumors, no corresponding roster move was made to fill the slot. Could the team be looking to promote Isaako Aaitui?

By Kevin Nogle
Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Dolphins officially have 52 players on their roster right now following the waiving of defensive tackle Marvin Austin earlier this week.  Speculation ran wild after that announcement, with no corresponding roster, that the Dolphins could be in the trade market right now, either for a running back or an offensive lineman.  However, nothing ever materialized.

Now, with the Dolphins about 24 hours away from facing the Buffalo Bills, the conventional wisdom says the team will use one of their practice squad players to fill the vacant roster position.  An hour ago, NFL player agent David Canter sent out the following tweets:

The move would make sense for Miami, adding another defensive lineman to the roster, to fill a spot vacated by a defensive lineman.  Aaitui has been with the Dolphins on a couple of occasions, originally signing to the practice squad as an undrafted free agent for the 2011 season.  He stayed with the team during the 2012 preseason, including being one of the major storylines for the finale of Hard Knocks last season, but was waived, with the intention of being put back on Miami's practice squad.

Instead, he was claimed off waivers by the New York Jets, only to tear his ACL and MCL  in his first practice with the new team.  After a injury settlement and a lot of rehab, Aaitui was signed to a two year contract this year by the New Orleans Saints, but was waived in the last round of roster cuts.

The Dolphins then brought back the defensive tackle in the middle of last month when starter Paul Soliai suffered a knee injury, signing Aaitui to the practice squad.

If Canter's tweets can be taken for a sign that Miami has promoted Aaitui, the emotions Canter is feeling are justified.  This could be a great story, as Aaitui's hard work, rehab from the devastating knee injury just after having packed up and left his family in Florida to go to New York, and continued dedication have paid off in getting to the Dolphins' 53-man roster.

[UPDATE:]

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