Nate Garner released by Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins continued their salary cap clearing roster moves today with the news that the team has released veteran offensive lineman Nate Garner. The release was reported by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Omar Kelly.

Garner joined the team in 2008 after being a seventh-round pick of the New York Jets that year. In six seasons with the Dolphins, Garner has only 19 starts, but has appeared in 74 games, working primarily as a special teams player and a key reserve offensive lineman. Garner has been the utility reserve for the Dolphins, playing every position on the line whenever needed.

Garner was passed on the Dolphins’ depth chart this past season by Dallas Thomas, who was drafted in the third-round of the 2013 season. Garner finished the season on the non-football injury list, missing the final six games, due to a head injury.

The move allows the Dolphins to clear $1.65 million off the salary cap, giving the team more space for the upcoming free agency period. The Dolphins entered the day with a little over $10 million in space.