After two preseason games, it has become clear that the Miami Dolphins lack depth at a majority of positions.
So far, the team has mostly avoided major injuries to their key contributors, but that is likely to change once the regular season starts. Miami’s ability to survive injuries to their starters is in serious question at the moment.
Additionally, the team’s starting weapons around quarterback Malik Willis are also in question, as they lack proven experience, which is why Miami has been turning over every stone trying to discover a hidden gem for their quarterback. With a couple of injuries, the Dolphins have once again gone that route as they added a tight end on Monday.
Miami Dolphins Sign Free Agent Tight End
The Miami Dolphins posted on X: “Roster Moves | We have signed tight end Ethan Conner and inside linebacker Jaheim Thomas and waived center Jim Bonifas and cornerback Ahmari Harvey.”
Regarding Conner’s addition, Dolphins on SI’s Alain Poupart wrote: “Conner (6-4, 245) spent time with the Jacksonville Jaguars this summer after going undrafted out of Troy.
Their signing will leave them precious little time to make an impression on the Dolphins before the roster cuts to 53.”
In three seasons with the Troy Trojans, Conner totaled 680 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.
Miami adding a tight end is not a surprise given the injuries they are currently dealing with at the position. The Miami Herald reported: “The Dolphins are short-handed at tight end. Ben Sims, who has been dealing with turf toe, remains out. Tight end Will Kacmarek is not practicing; the reasons are unclear. Seydou Traore also was working on the side.”
With the Dolphins being shorthanded at the position, Conner has a chance of impressing Miami’s coaching staff over the next few practices and the team’s third preseason game against the Falcons. The chances he makes the roster are very slim, but he is being given an opportunity to compete.
Miami Dolphins Tight Ends
Tight end is another position where the Dolphins have question marks. Greg Dulcich, who re-signed with Miami on a one-year, $3 million contract this offseason after coming on down the stretch of the 2025 season, has battled with injuries throughout his career. After an impressive rookie season with the Broncos in 2022, where he totaled over 400 receiving yards, Dulcich only had 53 receiving yards over the next two seasons.
After failing to make the New York Giants roster in 2025, he signed with the Dolphins. With Darren Waller sidelined, Dulcich finished the season with 40 receiving yards or more in four of the last five games. However, Miami is now counting on him to be the team’s primary receiving option at the position.
Meanwhile, Kacmarek and Sims were expected to compete for the starting job as the primary in-line blocking tight end, but Sims has spent most of training camp sidelined. If Kacmarek misses considerable time, Conner may carve out a role for himself.
The Dolphins drafted Kacmarek in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, as he was widely viewed as the best blocking tight end in this year’s class.
Dolphins Add Potential Malik Willis Weapon After Preseason Game