The tightest position battle this preseason for the Miami Dolphins has been decided: Rookie linebacker Jacob Rodriguez won the job over veteran Tyrel Dodson, who is being released, a league source confirmed.
Rodriguez, drafted in the second round out of Texas Tech, has had a solid camp.
Dodson was awarded off waivers in November 2024 and started 16 games for the Dolphins last season. He made 129 tackles playing alongside Jordyn Brooks.
The Dodson move was first reported by Netflix's Tom Pelissero.
Keep checking this story for the latest updates on the Dolphins' roster and depth chart.
Miami Dolphins 53-man roster: cut-down day news from Saturday, Aug. 29
Dolphins cut Theo Wease, 12 total players
The Dolphins announced 12 players were cut.
They are: Alex Austin, Coleman Bennett, Kevin Cline, Seth Coleman-Lyles, Ethan Conner, Stephen Dix Jr., Donovan Edwards,
Alex Huntley, Louis Moore, Cam Rice, Jaheim Thomas and Theo Wease Jr.
Some of these players could join Miami's practice squad.
Coleman Bennett was a recently-added running back who may have been leap-frogged when the Dolphins recently traded for Jarquez Hunter.
Wease is a former undrafted receiver who has size and showed some promise, particularly in the 2025 spring and summer.
Dolphins cut Alex Austin
The Dolphins have cut CB Alex Austin.
Austin made some good plays throughout camp and was certainly a 53-man roster possibility.
Austin, 25, had 26 games played with the Patriots over the last three years.
Injured players to keep an eye one
Cornerbacks Storm Duck and Darrell Baker have not practiced and do not figure to be ready for the season. They can begin the season on a physically unable to perform list.
Defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, edge Clelin Ferrell and tight end Ben Sims have been injured and it's unclear when they'll be ready.
Rookie edge rusher Trey Moore (ankle surgery) figures to be stashed for a possible late-season return. Moore could begin the season on injured reserve and still return in-season.
Players on the bubble
Among the many players that could be on the Dolphins' roster bubble:
WR: AJ Henning vs. Terrace Marshall vs. Ryan Miller
CB: Ethan Bonner vs. Marco Wilson vs. Alex Austin vs. Miles Battle vs. Jai'Onte' McMillan
DL/Edge: Max Llewellyn vs. Clelin Ferrell vs. Cameron Goode vs. Robert Beal vs. Keith Cooper Jr. vs. Matthew Butler
Offensive line: Charlie Heck vs. D.J. Campbell vs. Josh Priebe
Inside linebacker: Ronnie Harrison vs. Jackson Woodard vs. Jaheim Thomas
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins cut tracker: Jacob Rodriguez wins job over Tyrel Dodson
