The Miami Dolphins announced two practice squad elevations for Sunday’s Week 8 game against the Atlanta Falcons. Each team in the NFL is allowed to list two practice squad players as active for the game that
weekend, with the players reverting to the practice squad immediately following the game. An individual player may be elevated up to three times per season.
The Dolphins elevated cornerback Kendall Sheffield and tight end Hayden Rucci, providing them depth at two positions that have been hit hard with injuries. Sheffield was also active for last week’s game, appearing on six defensive snaps and one special teams play during the contest. This is the first elevation for Rucci.
Injuries have been a major storyline for Miami’s secondary throughout the season. Cornerbacks Artie Burns, Kader Kohou, Jason Maitre, and Jason Marshall, Jr., are all on injured reserve. Marshall’s 21-day practice window has been opened by the Dolphins, allowing him to start working his way back to the active roster, but he is listed as out for Sunday’s game and will not be activated this weekend.
Rucci’s activation comes after the team made a series of roster moves earlier in the week targeting the tight end position. The team placed starting tight end Darren Waller on injured reserve with a pectoral muscle injury. They then signed Greg Dulcich from the practice squad to the active roster, with Chris Myarick signed to the practice squad.
Tight end Julian Hill, who likely assumes the starting position on the depth chart with Waller’s injury, was ruled out of the game on Friday as he deals with an ankle injury. Tanner Conner will likely start, with Dulcich and Rucci providing depth.
