The Miami Dolphins are back from a much-needed BYE and already making moves to better their roster ahead of their Week 13 matchup vs. the New Orleans Saints. According to NFL Network’s NFL Insider Mike Garafolo, the Dolphins are signing former New York Jets and Buffalo Bills linebacker Jimmy Ciarlo.
Ciarlo, 24, played collegiately for the Army Black Knights before signing as an undrafted free agent with the New York Jets in 2024. Unfortunately for Ciarlo, he would suffer a season-ending ACL injury during his preseason debut that would force him to miss the entirety of the NFL season. He would later be released by the Jets in May 2025.
The second-year linebacker would work out for a few teams this offseason before signing with the Buffalo Bills in August. As Garafolo alluded to, his story was featured on Hard Knocks as he made a lasting impression on head coach Sean McDermott after a four-tackle performance in the team’s preseason game vs. the New York Giants. All of this, as Ciarlo was debating whether to return to the Army.
Ciarlo would eventually be cut by the Bills late in the roster-cutdown process and sign to Buffalo’s practice squad before the 2025 season. He would get called up ahead of the team’s Week 5 matchup vs. the New England Patriots. He would be released from the 53-man roster shortly after.
He will now look to make a name for himself in Miami under linebackers coach Joe Barry.
(NOTE: The Dolphins placed safety/linebacker Jordan Colbert on injured reserve a few days ago.)
What are your thoughts on the Dolphins signing linebacker Jimmy Ciarlo to the practice squad? Do you think he could be the developmental linebacker the team had hoped they would find in Jordan Colbert? How are you feeling heading into this weekend’s matchup vs. the New Orleans Saints? Let us know in the comments section below!
