With Mike Pouncey out Dolphins cut Chris Culliver
By Brian Miller
The Miami Dolphins needed an extra center with Mike Pouncey out of today’s game and to make room they released CB Chris Culliver.
More from Phin Phanatic
- 4 offensive tackles Miami Dolphins could draft at 51
- Miami Dolphins don’t need CB help but these 5 could be available at 51
- 4 players that could replace Wilkins if Miami Dolphins don’t re-sign him
- Miami Dolphins have a starting point with Wilkins after Simmons deal
- The Miami Dolphins should not take a running back in the draft
The move to cut Culliver is a bit of a surprise given Miami’s commitment to him this season as he rehabilitated from his 2015 ACL injury. Culliver started practicing a month ago and was activated off the PuP list last week.
Unfortunately the Dolphins won’t know what they had in Culliver as they released him on Saturday. The move was needed due to the hip injury sustained by Mike Pouncey. Anthony Steen will take Pouncey starting role on the offensive line but Miami lacked depth at the position.
On Saturday the Dolphins signed Jake Brendel off their practice squad to fill the role of back-up center. It’s unknown how long Pouncey will be out as he suffers pain for the fourth time in his hips. Pouncey has had surgery on both hips since joining the Dolphins.
The timing of Pouncey’s absence is not good. The Dolphins lost left tackle Branden Albert last week to a broken wrist. Albert will miss 2-3 weeks and possibly more. Laremy Tunsil will move outside to the tackle position while Kraig Urbik will step in at the LG spot. Miami will face a very tough Los Angeles Rams team defensive front that will be getting defensive tackle Robert Quinn back from an illness.
Miami is on a four game winning streak and the turnaround began when Pouncey and Albert got back on the field after suffering early season injuries. The new look competitive Dolphins will have to prove that their success is not simply due to the additions of Pouncey and Albert but that the entire team has turned around.
Today could be a huge game for the Dolphins to prove that they are indeed making the right decisions to move in the right direction.