Updating Miami Dolphins 53-man roster projection for Mike Pouncey’s injury

Yesterday, we posted our most recent prediction of the Miami Dolphins’ 2016 53-man roster. Then, shortly thereafter, the Dolphins announced an injury to Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey, a hip issue that could keep him out of the early part of the regular season. If it does have long-term impact on the team, it will likely mean a reconsideration to the final 53-man roster of the summer.

This morning, we make that reconsideration. With Pouncey out for the remainder of the preseason and possibly longer, the Dolphins have to think through the roster, especially the offensive line positions. In the 53-man roster projection below, you will see an additional offensive lineman added to the roster. Anthony Steen appears to be the primary backup for Pouncey, but the team needs someone to back up Steen if they expect Pouncey to be out for any real length of time. For that purpose, I have added Jamil Douglas, who appears to be an after thought for the coaching staff right now, back onto the 53-man roster.

Adding someone to one position means someone else has to come off the roster. There seem to be only two real places to consider when it comes to possibly removing someone from yesterday’s 53-man roster projection: defensive end or linebacker. I still think Chris McCain and Terrence Fede somehow both make the roster, so I decided to cut a linebacker position, which made me lose James-Michael Johnson from the 53-man roster. I do not like going into the season with only six linebackers, but it seems to be the only way I get to add a tenth offensive lineman and keep Fede and McCain.

Below, you can see the updated 53-man roster as of this morning:

Quarterbacks (3)

Ryan Tannehill
Matt Moore
Brandon Doughty

Running backs (4)

Jay Ajayi
Arian Foster
Isaiah Pead
Damien Williams

IR: Kenyan Drake

Tight ends (3)

Jordan Cameron
Dion Sims
Dominique Jones

Wide receiver (5)

Jarvis Landry
DeVante Parker
Kenny Stills
Leonte Carroo
Jakeem Grant

Offensive line (9 10)

Branden Albert
Laremy Tunsil
Mike Pouncey
Jermon Bushrod
Ja’Wuan James
Billy Turner
Ulrick John
Anthony Steen
Dallas Thomas
Jamil Douglas

Defensive ends (6)

Cameron Wake
Mario Williams
Andre Branch
Jason Jones
Terrence Fede
Chris McCain

NFI: Dion Jordan

Defensive tackle (4)

Ndamukong Suh
Jordan Phillips
Chris Jones
Julius Warmsley

Linebackers (7 6)

Jelani Jenkins
Kiko Alonso
Koa Misi
Spencer Paysinger
Mike Hull
Neville Hewitt
James-Michael Johnson

Cornerbacks (5)

Byron Maxwell
Xavien Howard
Bobby McCain
Tony Lippett
Lafayette Pitts

PUP: Chris Culliver

Safeties (4)

Reshad Jones
Isa Abdul-Quddus
Michael Thomas
Walt Aikens

Special Teams (3)

P: Matt Darr
K: Andrew Franks
LS: John Denney

Note: Yesterday, I did not include the PUP list designation for cornerback Chris Culliver or the NFI list for defensive end Dion Jordan. I believe that will be how the team handles both of those players to start the year, keeping them with the team, but not using a roster spot for them until they have to be activated later in the season.