Dolphins activate running back Chris Brooks off injured reserve, waive recently acquired pass rusher
Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said he would activate rookie running back Chris Brooks off injured reserve before his deadline to do so, and he did.
The Dolphins brought Brooks back onto the active roster Tuesday after a two-month stint on IR with a knee injury.
To make space on the 53-man roster, Miami waived veteran pass rusher and South Florida local Jason Pierre-Paul.
Tuesday was the end of Brooks’ 21-day practice window after he was initially designated to return and began practicing with the team Nov. 29. McDaniel said it would be an easy decision to activate his undrafted tailback.
“Chris Brooks, he’s gotten himself to a pretty good place,” McDaniel said Monday. “Rookies go through a season at the NFL level and it’s so many games. It’s so long. But in that, you can see guys that are capable of transitioning from okay, I’m a rookie, well maybe I’m not a rookie anymore, maybe I’m something between a rookie and a second-year guy. That maturation and understanding what it takes to execute stuff at the NFL level, guys can depend on him. They trust him and his strain and effort is something that adds value to the team.”
Brooks had ankle and knee injuries when he first landed on IR after last playing Oct. 15 against the Carolina Panthers. The ankle healed before the knee. He spent the past three weeks practicing but being kept on IR while designated as questionable in the leadup to games against the Washington Commanders, Tennessee Titans and New York Jets.
Brooks rejoins a running back corps that already has Raheem Mostert, De’Von Achane and Jeff Wilson Jr. on it. Last Sunday against the Jets, Miami also elevated fellow tailback Darrynton Evans from the practice squad.
Brooks has gotten offensive touches in two of his six games since making the 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie. He has 15 rushes for 94 yards and can also play the fullback role of starter Alec Ingold. Brooks has seen special teams snaps in all six games he has played.
Brooks is the seventh player Miami has brought back from either injured reserve or the non-football injury list. Every NFL team is allowed to designate eight to return.
With one designation left, it appears likely to go to linebacker Jerome Baker, who is expected to recover from the MCL injury in his left knee before season’s end. McDaniel said Monday any potential return of left guard Isaiah Wynn, on IR for a quadriceps injury, is not yet on his radar. Baker is first eligible to return ahead of the final week of the regular season, when the Dolphins have a home date with the Buffalo Bills on Jan. 7.
Pierre-Paul’s short stint with the Dolphins comes to an end after appearing in two games in which he played a combined five defensive snaps and eight on special teams after he was initially signed off the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad Nov. 28.
The team also signed fellow veteran edge rusher Melvin Ingram to its practice squad last week, and it can use three elevations to the active roster on him.
The Dolphins (10-4) host the Dallas Cowboys (10-4) at Hard Rock Stadium this Sunday.