Dolphins sign Keith Cooper Jr. to replace injured Zach Sieler

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 13: Keith Cooper Jr. #97 of the Miami Dolphins leaves the field after warmups against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on September 13, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Dolphins 27-13. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images) | Getty Images The

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What is the story about?

The Miami Dolphins announced yesterday that veteran defensive tackle Zach Sieler would miss the remainder of the 2026 season due to a biceps tear he suffered against the Detroit Lions last Sunday. On Wednesday, the team made a move to replace their defensive lineman.

Miami signed Keith Cooper Jr. off of the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad. The move immediately places Cooper on Miami’s 53-man roster.

Here’s what Miami’s official website had to say about Cooper.

“Cooper Jr. has appeared in four career

games with Cleveland (2025) and Miami (2026), recording one tackle. He first joined the Dolphins on Jan. 9, 2026, and spent the first three weeks of the season on Miami’s active roster. Cooper Jr. entered the NFL as an undrafted college free agent with Detroit in 2025 and spent time on the practice squad with the Lions and the Browns. He finished his collegiate career at Houston (2024), where he started 12 games and recorded 46 tackles (25 solo), 3.5 sacks, 8.5 tackles for loss, two passes defensed and one fumble recovery. He transferred to Houston from Tulane following the 2023 season after appearing in 39 career games with 15 starts and recording 73 tackles (37 solo), 10.5 sacks, 16 tackles for loss, five passes defensed and one forced fumble in three seasons (2021-23) with the Green Wave.”