The Miami Dolphins have added veteran linebacker A.J. Johnson, reuniting him with his former coach Vic Fangio as they continue to shape their roster for the upcoming 2023 NFL season.
Miami also waived linebacker Mike Rose and waived/injured safety Myles Dorn.
Roster Moves | We have signed LB A.J. Johnson, waived LB Mike Rose and waived/injured S Myles Dorn. pic.twitter.com/R3IPPULvTS
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) August 24, 2023
Johnson played one game for the Seattle Seahawks last season. The 31-year-old played 38 games for the Denver Broncos from 2018 to 2021 and has 252 combined tackles and 4.5 sacks in his NFL career. Fangio, who is in his first season as Dolphins defensive coordinator, was head coach of the Broncos from 2019 to 2021.
Rose and Dorn were signed by the Dolphins earlier this month. The linebacker, who was the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2020, played for the St. Louis Battlehawks in the most recent XFL season, when the 23-year-old was the youngest player on their roster. Dorn previously played special teams for the Minnesota Vikings.
The Dolphins defense has been in flux throughout training camp, with star cornerback Jalen Ramsey injuring his knee in an early practice, defensive tackle Christian Wilkins participating in a hold-in as he negotiates a contract extension and cornerback Xavien Howard reportedly facing a lawsuit for allegedly making secret sex tapes and then sharing them.
Fangio recently provided somewhat encouraging updates on Ramsey and Wilkins, saying the defensive back is trying to beat the expected timeline for his return and lineman will be ready to go once his contract situation is resolved.
Despite having one of the potentially most explosive offenses in the NFL, the Dolphins might see their success this season determined by their defense, which ranked in the bottom half of the league last season in several key categories, including 18th in total yards allowed per game, 24th in points allowed per game and tied for 30th in takeaways.
Fangio arrived with a reputation as one of the best defensive coordinators in the NFL, and the addition of Johnson could be a case of bringing in a veteran who is familiar with his system and can help teach it to others.
The Dolphins play their final preseason game Saturday against the Jacksonville Jaguars with the NFL deadline for finalizing 53-man rosters coming up on Tuesday.
