Dolphins release Sony Michel, Mohamed Sanu Sr. to trim roster

The Miami Dolphins began trimming their preseason roster to meet the NFL’s 53-man regular-season limit on Monday, releasing RB Sony Michel and veteran WR Mohamed Sanu Sr.

Miami has until Tuesday at 4 p.m. to trim its roster. This regular-season limit resulted in over 800 players being sent to the waiver wire and potentially free agency.

The Dolphins also released defensive back Quincy Wilson and offensive linemen Adam Pankey. Blaise Andries, Owen Carney Jr., Gerrid Doaks, Elijah Hamilton, Niles Scott, and ZaQuandre White were all also waived.

Linebacker Calvin Munson has been placed on the injured reserve. Linebacker Darius Hodge and defensive back D’Angelo Ross reportedly were waived but would be returned to IR if unclaimed.

The 27 years-old Michel signed a one-year, $2.1 million contract with the Dolphins in May after winning the Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams the previous year.

Michel rushed for 845 yards and recorded four touchdowns in 17 games, including seven starts, last season. He rushed twice for two yards in the Rams’ Super Bowl LVI victory.

The New England Patriots selected the running back out of Georgia with the second-to-last pick in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

He had at least 981 yards from scrimmage in each of his first two NFL seasons, including a strong postseason stretch in his rookie year that helped the Patriots defeat the Rams in Super Bowl LIII.

The 32-year-old Sanu joined the Dolphins just before training camp began. He recorded three catches for 39 yards in his team’s first preseason game. Sanu appeared in the final two but caught no passes.

Sanu has played in the NFL for ten seasons, amassing 402 catches for 4,558 yards and 26 touchdowns.

“You’ve seen multiple playmakers, really from top to bottom, in both groups,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said.

“That’s what’s super rare is you have at your final 53 decision time, every player in the position group has been on the field making plays. So that does not make it easy.”

Miami still has Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed on the roster. They also signed Chase Edmonds and Raheem Mostert in the offseason. Additionally, on Sunday, the Dolphins acquired edge rusher Trey Flowers, who spent the previous three seasons with the Detroit Lions.