Dolphins Sign DT Marvin Austin

Miami bolsters interior line with starter Paul Soliai ailing

With starting DT Paul Soliai still recovering from a knee injury, the Miami Dolphins signed free agent Marvin Austin Tuesday in order to shore up its interior line rotation.

Austin was selected in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. He missed his rookie season due to a pectoral injury suffered in the preseason, and appeared in 7 games in 2012 (making 8 tackles). The Giants cut Austin before the start of the 2013 season.

Soliai missed Sunday's game against Atlanta, having injured his left knee the previous week against Indianapolis. He had been part of a three-man rotation at DT with Jared Odrick and Randy Starks.

Fourth-year DT Vaughn Martin saw more playing time in Soliai's absence, but he was placed on injured reserve to make room for Austin on the roster.

Either way, the signing of Austin suggests the Dolphins may be worried that Soliai's absence will be prolonged. Soliai started 42 of 48 games over the previous three seasons, earning a Pro Bowl berth in 2011.

Additionally, the Miami Herald reported late Monday that the Dolphins worked out six free agent cornerbacks, including former UM starter DeMarcus Van Dyke and former Buffalo Bills starter Terrence McGee.

Miami has been painfully thin at cornerback. Starter Dimitri Patterson has missed the past two games due to a groin injury, and rookie backups Jamar Taylor and Will Davis have both missed action due to injury.

Miami's Pro Bowl DE Cameron Wake is also dealing with injury troubles of his own, sustaining a sprained MCL in his left knee against Atlanta. It is questionable whether he will be available for Miami's game against the New Orleans Saints on Monday night.

Contact Us