Alex Austin: Everything you need to know

Austin and the Dolphins agreed to terms on a one-year contract Wednesday, NFL reporter Jordan Schultz reports. Austin mostly served on special teams for the Patriots during the 2025 regular season, finishing with 13 tackles (10 solo) and one pass defense across 12 games. He'll likely reprise that role in Miami while also providing depth in the secondary.

Austin was informed Wednesday by the Patriots that they will not tender him a contract as a restricted free agent, so he will become an unrestricted free agent when the new league year begins March 11, Mark Daniels of Masslive.com reports. Austin appeared in 12 regular-season games for the Patriots in 2025. The 2023 seventh-round draft pick of the Bills has registered 31 tackles (25 solo) and eight passes defensed in 29 NFL appearances split between Buffalo and New England. Austin is likely to land a depth cornerback role somewhere on the open market.

The Patriots activated Austin (wrist) off injured reserve Saturday. Austin has been sidelined since the team's Week 12 win over the Bengals but will seemingly make his return during Sunday's divisional-round matchup versus the Texans. The 24-year-old should resume his role as a special teamer and depth defender against Houston.