Dolphins activate Bobby McCain, sign Rashaan Melvin, waive Jake Stoneburner

The Miami Dolphins had a busy afternoon on Saturday, making several roster moves:

Melvin began his career as an undrafted free agent in 2013, signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He remained with the team to through the start of the 2014 season before he was waived and signed by the Dolphins to their practice squad. He was then signed by the Baltimore Ravens, where he appeared in three games with two starts that year. In 2015, he again began the season with the Ravens, appearing in one game, before being waived in the middle of the season. He was then claimed by the New England Patriots, appearing in eight games before being waived and signed back to the Patriots’ practice squad. He signed a futures contract with the Patriots after the season, but was released earlier in the offseason.

He now comes to the Dolphins to add depth to a cornerback group that could be without rookie second-round draft pick Xavien Howard for several weeks after he had to undergo a knee scope following minicamp.

Stoneburner joined the Dolphins in 2014 after spending his rookie campaign with the Green Bay Packers the year prior. He moved up to the active roster from Miami’s practice squad in 2015, appearing in 11 games with one start. He recorded five receptions last year, his first five catches in the NFL and on the only five passes on which he has been targets, scoring two touchdowns. He was considered the favorite to claim the third tight end spot on the roster behind Jordan Cameron and Dion Sims, but it now appears rookies Thomas Duarte and Gabe Hughes will battle for that role.

McCain spent two days on the Physically Unable to Perform list before being activated by the Dolphins. According to a report from the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson, McCain was expecting the activation today, telling Jackson that he was placed on the PUP after cramping during the team’s conditioning drill on Thursday. McCain told Jackson the PUP designation “was precautionary to let me get adjusted. Now I’m fine and will be back [Sunday].”

McCain is expected to be the team’s top nickel cornerback option this year, though the team has been using Michael Thomas in that role over the last two days and he has looked strong there. McCain’s stint on the PUP could open the door to an unexpected training camp position battle.