The Miami Dolphins have formally added kicker Riley Patterson to their 53-man roster ahead of their anticipated matchup against the New York Jets. This decision, while expected, follows NFL regulations that permit a practice squad player to be elevated only three times in a season. Prior to this official roster spot, Patterson had been the Dolphins’ go-to kicker for the past three weeks due to the absence of Jason Sanders, who remains on injured reserve. Coach Mike McDaniel has indicated that Sanders, though eligible to return, is not yet ready to rejoin the lineup.
To accommodate Patterson’s addition, the team placed young cornerback Jason Marshall, Jr., on injured reserve due to a nagging hamstring injury that will see him sidelined for a minimum of four weeks. Marshall, who contributed three tackles this season, had already been ruled out of the Monday Night Football game.
With this strategic roster shuffle, the Dolphins opted against elevating any additional players from their practice squad for the game against the Jets. This development underscores the team’s focus on solidifying their special teams with Patterson, while addressing the setbacks in their defensive lineup. This also provides an opportunity for Patterson to further prove his consistency and value on the Dolphins’ roster as the season progresses.