Earl Mitchell activated off injured reserve

The Miami Dolphins announced on Thursday the team has activated defensive tackle Earl Mitchell from the team’s injured reserve list. The move brings Mitchell back to the active 53-man roster, making him available on game day, after a calf injury sidelined him in the opening game and caused him to miss the next seven contests.

Mitchell is in his third year with Miami, starting 16 games with 29 contests played, recording 56 tackles, two sacks, and one pass defensed. He began his career as a third-round pick in 2010 of the Houston Texans, playing for them until 2013. In his four years there, Mitchell played in 63 games with 17 starts, adding 134 tackles, 3.5 sacks, four passes defensed, and two fumble recoveries.

Mitchell could return to the playing field as early as this weekend when the Dolphins face the San Diego Chargers. The Dolphins likely will look at him as a depth option behind starters Ndamukong Suh and Jordan Phillips, though a return to the starting lineup at some point this year is a possibility.