The Miami Dolphins provide RB Mark Walton with another chance

The Miami Dolphins signed troubled running back Mark Walton on Sunday following a tryout and this could be his last shot in the NFL.

The Miami Dolphins announced the signings of three tryout players on Sunday. Miami signed former center Kirk Barron and cornerback Jamar Summers, but it’s the third player on the list that received all the attention, running back Mark Walton.

Walton was selected in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. It was an ugly rookie season, however, for Walton. In addition to limited playing time behind Joe Mixon and Giovani Bernard on the depth chart, Walton had some considerable off-the-field issues.

Walton was arrested three times in a three-month span. Two days following his third arrest, the Bengals decided that was enough and released Walton. The Dolphins, on the other hand, believed it was a low-risk move to bring the former Miami Hurricane in for a tryout. Miami apparently liked him enough to keep him on past their rookie minicamp.

Terms of Walton’s deal were not discussed but assured that it’s non-guaranteed and that Walton can be released at any moment. Any type of slip up by Walton will ultimately lead to his dismissal. As it stands, Walton is facing a felony charge for carrying a concealed weapon, in addition to misdemeanor charges for marijuana possession, reckless driving, and resisting a police officer without violence.

Following his arrest in February, Walton was charged with misdemeanor battery. Walton also faces a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge from his arrest in January.

That’s a pretty lengthy list of charges that Walton is facing, but when asked about Walton’s status, head coach Brian Flores said he believes that people deserve second chances.

"“I’d say I think … I think people deserve a second chance. I believe that. I think that’s the case. I don’t want to judge people based on one incident (or) two incidents. I think it’s a case-by-case situation for a player and just for people in general. That’s kind of my stance.”"

If we’re keeping count this is really Walton’s fourth chance. Still, the Dolphins management and coaching staff see something in him enough to warrant another opportunity. Walton is a very talented back, and it’s possible that simply being back home is exactly what he needs to right his ways.

If Walton can avoid jail time and keep himself out of any further trouble, he’ll have every opportunity to compete for a roster spot.