The Miami Dolphins moved ahead with roster trimming Monday, ahead of Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline to reach the initial 53-man squad. veteran nickel cornerback Mike Hilton was released, a move confirmed by his agent and first reported by ESPN.
Hilton, 31, joined the team earlier in training camp to help fill the hole left by Kader Kohou’s season-ending knee injury. He has 56 career starts but never established a regular role with Miami’s first-team defense in camp. The Dolphins instead gave extended looks to rookie Jason Marshall Jr. in the slot, a development path defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver acknowledged as part of evaluating younger players at key spots.
Other moves on Monday included the waiving of running back Aaron Shampklin, who had been signed Aug. 11 after the Dolphins’ preseason opener loss to the Bears. He joined running back Mike Boone in being released the same day. Boone had been more productive in the exhibitions, including a 7-yard touchdown in the preseason finale against the Jaguars, and his absence leaves the door open for further roster shuffles depending on injuries and practice performances.
Wide receiver A.J. Henning was waived, per ESPN. The Miami Herald also reported that cornerback Ethan Robinson, offensive linemen Jackson Carman and Addison West, and defensive lineman Ben Stille were among the players cut Monday.
The Dolphins are expected to make additional cuts Monday before finalizing the 53-man roster on Tuesday. Thursday’s roster activity reflects ongoing evaluation across the defense, special teams, and depth roles as the team seeks a balanced mix of veterans and young talent.
What this means
– The release of Hilton creates an opening for Jason Marshall Jr. to grow into a more prominent role in the nickel and sub-packages, especially with Kohou out for the season.
– The cut of Shampklin and Boone indicates Miami is still weighing their backfield depth behind top options and may be preparing for further moves if injuries test the position.
– The broader cuts emphasis appears to be prioritizing young players who can contribute in multiple areas, while trimming veterans where the team has enough depth.
Summary
The Dolphins are rapidly trimming toward their 53-man roster, releasing veteran Mike Hilton and several depth players including Aaron Shampklin, Mike Boone, and A.J. Henning, along with other listed cuts. They continue to evaluate younger talent such as Jason Marshall Jr. ahead of the Tuesday deadline, with more adjustments anticipated as they finalize the roster.
If you’re looking for a hopeful takeaway, the club appears to be leaning into youth and versatility on defense and special teams, which could pay dividends as the season unfolds if those players prove ready for NFL game speed.