Dolphins re-sign A.J. Francis

Defensive tackle A.J. Francis, who spent the 2014 NFL season on injured reserve, has re-signed with the Miami Dolphins, the team announced today. Francis returns to the team with a chance to move into the starting lineup if the team does not retain soon-to-be free agent Jared Odrick or sign Ndamukong Suh when free agency begins on March 10. The team also announced the re-signing of safety Jordan Kovacs, as was reported a couple of days ago.

Francis joined the Dolphins in 2013 as an undrafted free agent from Maryland. He flashed potential throughout training camp and the preseason, but was among the final round of roster cuts with the team planning to add him to the practice squad. Instead, he was claimed off waivers by the New England Patriots, who stashed him on their practice squad. Miami brought Francis back to South Florida late in the 2013 season, but he was inactive for the team's final five games that year.

Francis had moves up to the second team in training camp in 2014 before injuring his knee in the preseason. He was eventually forced to undergo a knee scope, after which Miami placed him on injured reserve. He had been scheduled to be an exclusive rights free agent this offseason.

No details on his contract have been released.