Report: Miami Dolphins cut Sheldrick Redwine, place Mackensie Alexander on IR to lower roster size

The Miami Dolphins reportedly released veteran safety Sheldrick Redwine on Tuesday.

Redwine, 25, was a fourth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. He played four games with the Dolphins in the 2021 season, making two combined tackles. Despite coming into camp with a chance to win a backup safety job, Redwine apparently did not show enough in the preseason to stick in Miami.

Redwine’s release also could be tied to the fact that he has dealt with some injury issues in training camp, and the Dolphins may be more confident in having a healthier player take his spot.

This also could open up a route for undrafted free agent Verone McKinley III to make Miami’s roster. Redwine had previously been listed ahead of him on the Dolphins’ depth chart.

McKinley has clearly impressed the Dolphins’ coaching staff through the team’s first two preseason games. Against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Miami’s first preseason game, he tallied six tackles.

With Jevon Holland and Brandon Jones entrenched as the team’s starters at safety, McKinley might primarily play special teams to start the season. However, he has played well enough in the preseason for the team to move on from Redwine, which bodes well for his chances to get some action in the 2022 season.

McKinley played collegiately at the University of Oregon. He tallied 172 total tackles and 11 interceptions in his college career, with six of those 11 picks coming in the 2021 season. The Dolphins may have found a diamond in the rough in McKinley following the 2022 NFL Draft.

As for Redwine, he could be moving to his fourth team in his NFL career if another team picks him up this offseason. After playing two seasons with the Cleveland Browns and making eight starts in 27 games, Redwine spent the 2021 season with the Dolphins and New York Jets.

Redwine wasn’t the only casualty as the Dolphins cut down their roster on Tuesday.

Recently signed cornerback Mackensie Alexander was placed on injured reserve, which is a brutal blow since he was signed to replace injured cornerback Trill Williams. This leaves the door open for former first-round pick Noah Igbinoghene to remain on the roster despite struggling in camp and preseason.

The Dolphins also moved on from punter Sterling Hofrichter, who seemingly lost out on the competition for the punter job with veteran Thomas Morstead.

It will be interesting to see if the Dolphins make any surprise cuts over the next few weeks as they trim down their roster ahead of the start of the 2022 regular season.