What to Know About the New Dolphins Linebacker (And What His Addition Could Mean)

The Miami Dolphins made yet another roster move Friday ahead of their second preseason game

Arkansas Razorbacks linebacker Stephen Dix Jr. (14) celebrates his fumble recovery as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. Arkansas Razorbacks lead Auburn Tigers 7-0 at halftime. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

The Miami Dolphins made two more roster moves Friday, one clearly injury-related and the other possibly so as well.

The team announced it had waived/injured guard James Ester and replaced him on the active roster by rookie linebacker Stephen Dix Jr.

Ester was injured during the joint practice with/against the New York Giants at the Baptist Health Training Complex on Thursday while blocking on a running play. Ester barely could put any weight on his left leg as he walked off the field and headed toward a cart accompanied by two trainers holding him up.

Ester was a defensive lineman when the Dolphins claimed him off waivers from the Green Bay Packers in the spring before converting him to the offensive line.

He was listed second on the depth chart, though seemed like a long shot to make the 53-man roster.

THE DIX SCOUTING REPORT

Dix went undrafted this spring after finishing his collegiate career at Arkansas following stops at Florida State and Marshall.

He spent the offseason program with the Arizona Cardinals, but was waived in June and hadn't been picked up before the Dolphins signed him.

He was one of six players who worked out for Miami earlier this week, a group that included Brenden Rice, the son of NFL legend Jerry Rice.

A native of Orlando. Dix had his best college season at Arkansas in 2025 when he finished with 79 tackles. He was not invited to the scouting combine.

THE LINEBACKER QUESTION

The addition of Dix gives the Dolphins a total of 10 linebackers again, but the Dolphins still likely needed help at the position for the preseason game against the New York Giants on Saturday afternoon.

Rookie fourth-round pick Kyle Louis is listed as a linebacker but spent the week getting work at safety. Additionally, Jordyn Brooks hasn't practiced all week because of an undisclosed injury and fellow linebacker Tyrel Dodson finished the joint practice barefoot and without his helmet and pads.

The other linebackers on the roster are rookies Trey Moore and Jacob Rodriguez, along with Willie Gay Jr., Jackson Woodard, Ronnie Harrison Jr. and fellow newcomer Cam Riley.

Arriving at this late stage gives Dix an awfully short time to make much of an impression before the cuts to 53, so maybe the best-case scenario for him is showing Dolphins coaches they should consider him for the practice squad.

THE DOLPHINS' AUGUST TRANSACTIONS

August 5 — Claimed TE Jeremiah Franklin off waivers from New England ... signed DL Fatorma Mulbah ... waived EDGE Seth Coleman-Lyles ... placed DL Rene Konga on injured reserve

August 7 — Signed S Tanner Wall ... claimed CB Ahmari Harvey off waivers from Pittsburgh ... waived QB Mark Gronowski ... waived/injured S Omar Brown

August 10 — Acquired G/T Caedan Wallace and a 2029 7th-round pick from New England for a 2028 6th-round pick ... signed CB Nick McCloud ... placed K Zane Gonzalez on IR ... waived RB Anthony Hankerson

August 16 — Signed QB Mark Gronowski and LB Cam Riley ... placed G/T Jamaree Salyer on IR ... waived/injured CB Ethan Robinson

August 17 — Activated WR Chris Bell off the Non-Football Injury list ... signed DL Cam Rice ... waived S Tanner Wall

August 18 — Signed EDGE Seth Coleman-Lyles ... waived/injured EDGE Mason Rieger

August 21 — Signed LB Stephen Dix Jr. ... waived/injured G James Ester