Dolphins Elevate Kion Smith Amid Concerns for Aaron Brewer
The Miami Dolphins stirred the pot this past Saturday with a surprising move, elevating offensive lineman Kion Smith from the practice squad just days before their pivotal Week 14 matchup against the New York Jets. This decision comes after a two-week hiatus from practice squad elevations, raising eyebrows and prompting speculation about the health of starting center Aaron Brewer.
Brewer’s Injury Status Raises Alarm
Brewer stands as the only offensive lineman listed with a game status designation for the upcoming clash against the Jets, tagged as questionable due to a trifecta of injuries affecting his ankle, neck, and knee. The knee issue notably made its debut on the injury report following Thursday’s practice. While head coach Mike McDaniel attempted to ease concerns surrounding Brewer’s condition, describing it as “a bump and bruise type situation,” the timing of Smith’s elevation suggests a deeper apprehension about Brewer’s readiness.
“The issues aren’t something we’re concerned about or anything serious,” McDaniel remarked, but the Dolphins’ actions speak volumes. Brewer’s uncertain status has implications for Miami’s offensive strategy, especially considering the team’s recent history with injuries along the offensive line.
Impacts of Smith’s Promotion
Smith’s elevation is particularly intriguing, given that he was waived just one week prior to make room for tackle Austin Jackson’s return from injured reserve. The Dolphins had a rare opportunity with nine active offensive linemen, a situation that typically hints at potential depth issues. Smith, who has not seen significant snaps on special teams, now finds himself back in the fold, while the Dolphins seem to hedge their bets on Brewer’s availability.
In the event that Brewer cannot suit up against the Jets, Daniel Brunskill is likely to step in as the starting center. Brunskill has been a key player in Miami’s heavy package, filling the sixth offensive lineman role since Week 8 against the Atlanta Falcons. The Dolphins may need to reconsider their offensive approach depending on who takes the snaps at center.
Jets Stay Busy with Roster Moves
While the Dolphins were focused on internal adjustments, the New York Jets were active on their end of the roster as well. The most noteworthy development for the Jets was the elevation of former Dolphins cornerback Nik Needham from their practice squad. This marks Needham’s first appearance of the season, a significant moment for the player who has been with the Jets since mid-September after a solid tenure in Miami.
Needham had previously played in 63 games with 27 starts for the Dolphins from 2019 to 2024 after joining as a rookie free agent, making his return to the field a noteworthy storyline ahead of the matchup.
In addition to Needham, the Jets signed quarterback Brady Cook to their active roster, providing depth behind veteran Tyrod Taylor as Justin Fields sits out with a knee injury. The team also made several roster adjustments, including signing DB Jordan Clark, elevating DB Tre Brown, and placing CB Jarvis Brownlee Jr. and LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball on injured reserve. Brownlee and McCrary-Ball were ruled out of Sunday’s game, while linebacker Cam Jones was also downgraded, raising further questions about the Jets’ defensive lineup against the Dolphins.
As both teams prepare for their respective challenges, the implications of these roster moves will be closely watched come game day.
