Evander Hood – Noteworthy – Transaction
DE Evander “Ziggy” Hood was signed by the Dolphins Wednesday (Oct. 31).
He was drafted in the first round – No. 32 overall – by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2009 and has since played in 133 games, including 73 starts. The Dolphins are his fifth NFL team, following the Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Chicago Bears and the Washington Redskins. Hood, who is of Mexican ancestry on his mother’s side, was named after former boxing champion Evander Holyfield and got his nickname from a cartoon. He played his first five years in the league with the Steelers, totaling 11.5 sacks. In the five years since, he has just 2.5 sacks.
Jason Sanders – Noteworthy
K Jason Sanders, Miami’s seventh-round pick, has made 9-of-10 field goals and 19-of-20 extra points.
He has a strong leg and has improved his accuracy since his senior year at New Mexico, when he made 25-of-35 on field goals.
Jerome Baker – Noteworthy
OLB Jerome Baker, Miami’s third-round pick, is third on the team with 45 tackles, and he also has two sacks.
With 4.53 speed, Baker is faster than most linebackers, and he has shown the ability to burst through small openings to find the ball. The former Ohio State star arrived in the NFL with the reputation of a big-game player who can defend the run and pass. So far, the Dolphins are thrilled with his performance.
Mike Gesicki – Noteworthy
TE Mike Gesicki, Miami’s second-round pick, has 16 catches in eight games and three starts. Gesicki, though, has yet to score a touchdown.
On draft day, his height, hands and leaping ability were touted for reasons why he would be a major red-zone and third-down threat. So far, that has not been the case.
Mike Hull – Noteworthy – Transaction
LB Mike Hull, 27, was activated from injured reserve Wednesday (Oct. 31). Undrafted out of Penn State, Hull joined the Dolphins in 2015 and has played 35 games, including four starts.
He had his only career interception in 2016, and he had a career-high 19 tackles last season, when he made three starts. If he plays on Sunday, it will mark his 2018 debut.
Minkah Fitzpatrick – Noteworthy
DB Minkah Fitzpatrick, Miami’s first-round pick, has made a quick transition to the NFL, getting four passes defensed, one tackle for loss and one interception in his first eight games.
He also ranks fourth on the team in tackles with 43.
Ryan Tannehill – Noteworthy – Injury
QB Ryan Tannehill will miss his fourth straight game on Sunday against the New York Jets because of a lingering right shoulder injury.
The Dolphins (4-4), who started the season 3-0, are 1-2 with Brock Osweiler at quarterback, losing to the Detroit Lions and Houston Texans in their last two games and dropping four of their last five. “Surgery has not been brought up to me,” Gase was quoted as saying by the Miami Herald, adding that there is no timetable for Tannehill’s return. “It’s a rest-type thing.” Tannehill has been unable to throw a football since sustaining the injury, but it was reported last week that he has been throwing a tennis ball in an effort to regain the strength in his shoulder.
Sylvester Williams – Noteworthy – Transaction
DT Sylvester Williams was signed by the Dolphins Wednesday (Oct. 31).
Williams, who turns 30 on Nov. 21, is from Missouri and played his college ball at the University of North Carolina, where he was a first-team All-American. The Denver Broncos drafted him in the first round in 2013, No. 28 overall, and he helped his original NFL team win a Super Bowl. He started 15 games that season and had 2.5 sacks on a squad that led the NFL in defense. On March 10, 2017, he signed a three-year contract with the Tennessee Titans, but that didn’t work out too well. He was released one year later and was cut by the Detroit Lions after playing six games this season.
Jamiyus Pittman – Noteworthy – Transaction
DT Jamiyus Pittman was signed by the Dolphins to their practice squad Wednesday (Oct. 31). He had been waived by the Dolphins Monday.
Maurice Smith – Noteworthy – Transaction
S Maurice Smith was signed by the Dolphins to their practice squad Wednesday (Oct. 31). He had been waived by the Dolphins Monday.