DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 27: James Ester #65 and Jordan Love #10 of the Green Bay Packers walk off the field after a win over the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on November 27, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
The Miami Dolphins suffered an unfortunate injury earlier this week during practice.
Former Green Bay Packers defensive lineman, James Ester – who was in the midst of being transitioned to the interior offensive line by the Dolphins coaching staff – was released on Friday with an injury designation.
In his place, the Dolphins have signed lineback Stephen Dix Jr.
“Dolphins signed inside linebacker Stephen Dix Jr. and waived/injured guard James Ester.” Aaron Wilson reported on Friday.
Ester was in the midst of an attempt to be moved from defensive tackle to offensive guard from head coach Jeff Hafley – who knew the 24 year old from their shared time in Green Bay where Hafley formerly served as defensive coordinator, as first reported by Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald back in May.
And to follow up on this, James Ester did, in fact, line up with the offensive linemen at last week's Dolphins OTA that was open to the media, per the always very observant @PoupartNFL … Next OTA open to reporters is Wednesday. That's 1 of 5 practices left open to the media. https://t.co/6uQBwOiQBa
“Dolphins are interested in experimenting with him [Ester] at guard, per source”, Jackson posted on X on May 25, before noticing that the team immediately got to work moving him from the defensive to offensive side of the ball.
“And to follow up on this, James Ester did, in fact, line up with the offensive linemen at last week’s Dolphins OTA that was open to the media,” Jackson continued.
New Offensive Lineman James Ester Released After Injury
The second year pro was always viewed as a long shot to make the roster, even considering the injuries to offensive linemen Jamaree Salyer and Carter Warren, both of whom would have been in direct competition with Ester for a spot on the 53-man active roster.
Nevertheless, Miami may have the shallowest interior offensive line group in the NFL at this point, with rookie sixth round pick D.J. Campbell currently the team’s primary backup at guard alongside 2025 UDFA Josh Priebe.
It is also possible that Miami utilizes ex-Patriots offensive lineman Caedan Wallace, whom the team traded for earlier this month, on the inside, despite being listed as the second-string right tackle on the team’s unofficial depth chart.
Stephen Dix Jr. will come in as further cover at inside linebacker, but his role to little more than a practice squad position feels very long. The Dolphins drafted linebackers Jacob Rodriguez and Kyle Louis – the latter of whom has also taken reps at safety – in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and subsequently picked Trey Moore in the fourth round.
Linebacker was not even a vast area of need for the roster coming into the season, especially in comparison to other units on the team; All-Pro Jordyn Brooks, Tyrel Dodson and Willie Gay headlined what was a respectable trio last season, and the franchise also added veteran LB Ronnie Harrison Jr..
Dix came out of Arkansas as an undrafted free agent this offseason and initially signed with the Arizona Cardinals before being released by the team on June 11.
Daniel Arwas Daniel Arwas is a sports writer who covers the NFL for Heavy.com. Daniel began his career in sports writing in 2022 and has covered the NFL and college football for Gridiron Heroics and The Hammer. More about Daniel Arwas
0 Comments
Dolphins Waive Former Packers DT Turned OL, Sign Rookie Linebacker
The Miami Dolphins suffered an unfortunate injury earlier this week during practice.Former Green Bay Packers defensive lineman, James Ester – who was in the midst of being transitioned to the interior offensive line by the Dolphins coaching staff – was released on Friday with an injury designation.In his place, the Dolphins have signed lineback Stephen […]
Dolphins Waive Former Packers DT Turned OL, Sign Rookie Linebacker