Dolphins elevate former Gators receiver, opt against activating Liam Eichenberg against Chargers
The Miami Dolphins elevated former Florida Gators wide receiver Freddie Swain from the practice squad for Sunday’s game at the Los Angeles Chargers, the team announced Saturday.
Swain’s presence on the active roster for Sunday night gives Miami added depth with fellow wideout River Cracraft doubtful due to a calf injury.
Swain gets his first call-up since signing to the Dolphins’ practice squad on Sept. 2.
A sixth-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks in the 2020 NFL draft, Swain has played in 33 games with nine starts over the past two seasons with Seattle. He has 38 career receptions for 502 yards and has also returned 22 punts for 189 yards (8.6 average) and six kickoffs for 137 yards (22.8 average).
In four years at Florida, Swain collected 68 receptions for 996 yards and 15 touchdowns.
The move also means Swain is bound to play over rookie fourth-round pick Erik Ezukanma, who has been inactive for all 12 of Miami’s games this season.
The fact that the Dolphins did not elevate an offensive lineman from the practice squad may bode well for left tackle Terron Armstead’s availability against the Chargers. Armstead is questionable with a left pectoral strain, which he hurt in the Nov. 27 win over the Houston Texans. He missed last Sunday’s loss to the San Francisco 49ers because of it.
The Dolphins passed on activating left guard Liam Eichenberg off injured reserve ahead of Sunday’s game at Los Angeles.
Eichenberg was eligible to return from his knee ailment and had practiced throughout the week at UCLA, but the team is opting to give him another week.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, on Friday, said Eichenberg has had a “remarkable recovery that is strongly influenced by hard work, determination, dedication,” which left open the possibility he could get activated. The Miami coach added he feels “very good about him next week.”
Activating Eichenberg would also require clearing a roster spot since the Dolphins are at the maximum of 53 players on the roster after signing veteran, former Pro Bowl tackle Eric Fisher on Monday. Miami also has eight offensive linemen on the roster with Fisher and without Eichenberg.
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