The Miami Dolphins cut 35 players and traded one more Saturday, trimming their roster to the NFL-mandated 53 players. Here's a closer look at the final cuts:
Most significant move: Releasing Tony Lippett. In 2016, Lippett might have been the Dolphins' best cornerback, starting 13 games and contributing four interceptions. But he suffered a ruptured Achilles before the 2017 season and hasn't been able to regain his form. The Dolphins still don't have enough cornerbacks they can trust to play significant minutes on Sundays. They couldn't afford to wait on Lippett, who might get interest elsewhere. Miami will scour the waiver wire for a fourth and fifth cornerback. If they find at least one, that player could cost sixth-round pick Cornell Armstrong his spot.
Three QBs, but still Tannehill or bust: Brock Osweiler and David Fales competed all summer for the backup QB job. Osweiler appeared to eke out Fales, but the Dolphins decided to keep them both. I wouldn't feel comfortable with Osweiler or Fales stepping in to keep the ship steered in the right direction if Ryan Tannehill suffered a minor injury that cost him a game or four. Coach Adam Gase has repeated several times that his No. 2 QB is currently on the roster. He's keeping both candidates, for now, which is at least curious.
Roster fluidity: Backup linebacker Mike Hull made the initial 53-man roster, but the Dolphins intend to put him on injured reserve in the next couple of days with the hope of designating him to return later this season. His roster spot would open room for a waiver claim or a player cut by the Dolphins on Saturday. Watch out for a veteran like Kendall Langford to possibly be re-signed after Week 1 when his contract is no longer guaranteed, if he hasn't already been picked up before that. Along with cornerback, expect the Dolphins to look for linebackers, offensive linemen and possibly a receiver on the waiver wire.
Dolphins moves: Released: QB Bryce Petty (waived/injured), RB Buddy Howell, RB Jeremy Langford, RB Brandon Radcliff, WR Leonte Carroo, WR Isaiah Ford, WR Drew Morgan, WR Francis Owusu, WR Rashawn Scott (waived/injured), WR Malcolm Lewis, TE Thomas Duarte, TE Gavin Escobar, OL Isaac Asiata, OL Mike Matthews, OL Eric Smith, OL David Steinmetz, OL Roubbens Joseph, OL Connor Hilland, CB Tony Lippett, CB Johnathan Alston, CB Jalen Davis, CB Taveze Calhoun, DL Cameron Malveaux, DL Jonathan Woodard, DL Claudy Mathieu, DL Anthony Moten, DL Quincy Redmon (waived/injured), DL Jamiyus Pittman, DL Kendall Langford, LB Quentin Poling, LB Cayson Collins, LB Frank Ginda, LB Terence Garvin, K Greg Joseph, LS Lucas Gravelle; Traded: DB Jordan Lucas.