The M.A.S.H. unit known as the Miami Dolphins took another hit Friday when the team placed kicker Dan Carpenter on the injured reserve list, ending his season. The team announced it has signed free agent Nate Kaeding to take Carpenter's roster spot.
Carpenter was limited in Thursday's practice with a right groin injury. The team has not released any other details regarding his injury.
Carpenter made 22 of 27 field goal attempts this season (including 12 of 12 on kicks less than 40 yards), and was a perfect 26 of 26 on extra points.
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Kaeding, a nine-year veteran, was released by the San Diego Chargers on October 30 after failing a physical. He had spent his entire career in San Diego, converting 87% of his 207 field goal attempts and missing only 2 of 351 extra point attempts. He was a perfect 7 of 7 on field goals this season before the Chargers released him.
Kaeding and head coach Joe Philbin share a connection. Kaeding attended the University of Iowa while Philbin was offensive line coach for the Hawkeyes a decade ago.
Carpenter is the third Dolphin to go on IR in the past week, along with reserve tight end Charles Clay and backup running back Daniel Thomas. Left tackle Jake Long and defensive back Richard Marshall went on IR earlier this season.
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Compounding problems for the Dolphins, starting WRs Brian Hartline and Davone Bess both missed practice on Thursday. Bess has been nursing a back injury that kept him out of last week's game against Jacksonville, while Hartline hurt his back against the Jaguars.
In their place, the Dolphins could look to a trio of backups on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills: Marlon Moore, Rishard Matthews, and Armon Binns. Moore and Matthews have combined for 12 catches for 194 yards and a touchdown this season, while Binns caught 18 passes for 210 yards and a touchdown before being cut by the Cincinnati Bengals earlier this season.
Bess and Hartline have accounted for 1,780 of the team's 3,060 receiving yards this season.
