Miami Dolphins roster cuts start with four early moves including Daniel Thomas

The Miami Dolphins have started paring their 75-man roster down to the NFL's 53-man regular season limit. All 32 NFL teams must reach that lower limit by 4pm ET today, meaning over 700 players will be released, placed on injured reserve, or undergo some other transaction today.

The first release for the Dolphins came last night, with a report that the team had released tight end Kyle Miller. Miller joined the Dolphins as an in-season waiver claim during the 2012 season. He was originally signed into the league as an undrafted free agent by the Jacksonville Jaguars, but was eventually released.  He then joined the Indianapolis Colts practice squad, eventually being promoted to the active roster and appearing in one game. When Indianapolis attempted to waive him so they could put him back on the practice squad, Miami claimed him. Miller spent the 2013 season on the Miam practice squad.

Early this morning, news of the second move came from Adam Beasley, who reported the team had released Kevin Fogg. The rookie cornerback from Liberty signed with miami after a tryout during the team's mandatory minicamp.  Fogg was named All-Big South Conference First Team last year, recording four interceptions, with one touchdown, seven pass breakups, and 44 tackles.  He also served as the primary punt and kick returner for the team, averaging 8.5 yards per punt return and 18.9 yards per kick return.

The latest two moves, reported by Andrew Abramson, released running back Daniel Thomas and wide receiver/running back/returner Marcus Thigpen. Thomas was a second round draft choice by the Dolphins in 2011, coming out of Kansas State as a senior. In three years with Miami, Thomas gained 1,312 yards on 365 carries with eight touchdowns.

Thigpen initially entered the league as an undrafted free agent signed by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2009. After bouncing to the Denver Broncos near the end of that preseason, Thigpen found himself in the Canadian Football League, spending time with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The Dolphins signed him in 2012, using him primarily as a punt and kick returner.  Over his two seasons, he had 60 punt returns for 580 yards (9.7 yards per return average) with a touchdown and 77 kick returns for 1,918 yards (24.9 yards per return) and a score.  He also recorded 112 receiving yards on nine catches with one touchdown and 26 rushing yards on seven carries.

The Dolphins currently have 71 players on their roster. They have 18 transactions to complete before the 4pm ET deadline.

You can follow all the Dolphins roster moves, and some of the bigger NFL transactions, in our continuously updated StoryStream. You can join fellow Dolphins fans in the discussion of all the moves in our Dolphins roster cuts live thread.