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The Miami Dolphins are looking to add depth to a thin linebackers group. The position was already a depth concern, but has really become a concern with Zach Vigil landing on the Physically Unable to Perform list to start training camp. According to reports, the Dolphins invited three players, headlined by former Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots linebacker Brandon Spikes, to the team facilities on Wednesday for a workout:
The Dolphins brought in three linebackers for workouts this morning. Former Patriot, former UF star Brandon Spikes prominent among them.
— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) August 3, 2016
Former #Patriots and #Bills LB Brandon Spikes had his first workout after a year out of football today with the #Dolphins, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 3, 2016
Spikes started 2015 by signing with the Patriots in May, but was released in June after he fled the scene of a car accident. He was then scheduled to be suspended for the first four weeks, but was unable to find a job for the last 13 weeks of the season.
Spikes played for the Bills in 2014, recording 54 tackles, one sack, three passes defensed, and one forced fumble in 16 games played with 10 starts. From 2010 to 2013, he played for the Patriots, appearing in 51 games with 39 starts. The Patriots drafted Spikes out of the University of Florida in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft.
One of the other LBs the Dolphins worked out today is Jerry Franklin, per an NFL source. Franklin formerly of the Lions.
— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) August 3, 2016
Franklin began his career as an undrafted free agent with the Denver Broncos in 2012. He was waived at the end of the preseason and signed with the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad for the first half of the 2012 season, then moved to the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad before being added to the Chicago Bears’ active roster in December 2011. He appeared in three games for Chicago that year, then 10 games for the Bears in 2013. He tallied seven tackles in that time.
He spent the first part of 2014 on the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad before being called up and playing in seven games. After being waived in November, he was signed to the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad then promoted to the active roster for four games to end 2014. After being out of football in 2015, he signed a contract this offseaosn with the Detroit Lions, but was waived earlier this week.
The Dolphins have a starting linebacker corps of Jelani Jenkins on the weak-side, Kiko Alonso in the middle, and Koa Misi on the strong-side. The team is likely looking to add depth into the mix with Neville Hewitt, Spencer Paysinger, and Mike Hull.