Allen

Hurns

Hurns reportedly failed his physical, leading to his release. Hurns started just seven games over three seasons with Miami. He opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 and missed the 2021 season with a wrist injury. Hurns’ salary cap hit for the Dolphins dropped from $3 million to $433,000 with his release. Seven years removed from his career 2015 season, Hurns will probably get a one-year deal somewhere else this spring or summer.

Hurns opted out of the 2020 season and has a year remaining on a two-year deal signed in 2019. Will Fuller, Albert Wilson, Isaiah Ford and Mack Hollins are all free agents and the Dolphins new coaching staff could move on from Hurns, who has a non-guaranteed $2.5 million salary. Miami’s cap hit drops from $3 million to $433K if Hurns is cut.

Hurns, a longshot to make Miami’s final 53-man roster, initially got banged up during the team’s first preseason game. He will be placed on injured reserve. It creates an opening for both Jakeem Grant and Albert Wilson to sneak onto the Fins’ roster out of necessity. 30 in November, Hurns can be stashed on injured reserve and perhaps return by December.

With Will Fuller and Jaylen Waddle joining last year’s starters Preston Williams and DeVante Parker, Hurns is competing with Grant, Wilson, and special teamer Mack Hollins for one or two spots. Miami can save $1.2 million from releasing Hurns, who hasn’t played since 2019 after he opted out last season. 2020 third-rounder Lynn Bowden has “likely locked down” the No. 5 job.

Hurns’ family has a baby on the way. Going on 29, Hurns was looking like the Dolphins’ No. 4 receiver after he signed a two-year, $8 million extension last November. It’s not a huge loss, but it puts more pressure on Preston Williams to come back strong from his torn ACL. Isaiah Ford, Jakeem Grant and Mack Hollins are the next men up. Hurns’ 32/416/2 last season a big success in the context of his devastating 2018-19 playoff injury with the Cowboys. Every player needs to do what is best for their family, but a year out of the league will not help Hurns’ 53-man roster odds in 2021.

Jennings was claimed by the Dolphins off waivers from the Seahawks in November but was injured in his first game with Miami. He’s currently learning the intricacies of playing from the slot, where the team envisions his 6'1/214 frame coming in handy to create mismatches on smaller, slower players. DeVante Parker, second-year UDFA Preston Williams, and Albert Wilson are still expected to man Miami’s three-wide sets in their season opener against the Patriots.

DT Zach Sieler (ankle, thumb) and DT Christian Wilkins (ankle) are both active. Hurns will miss Sunday’s finale with neck and ankle injuries. He worked as a complementary weapon for veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick this year, amassing 32 catches for 416 yards and two touchdowns over 14 appearances for his hometown Fins. Signed to a two-year, $8 million extension last month, Hurns will return to Miami for the 2020 season.

Hurns isn’t a realistic option anyway, as the Dolphins have lately been rotated him with Isaiah Ford as the offense’s No. 3 WR. DeVante Parker, Albert Wilson and Mike Gesicki are the only fantasy-viable options in this passing game. Each are thin plays in this brutal matchup against the Patriots’ beastly secondary.

Hurns was limited all week but it’s not enough to keep him out. It’s possible his role is scaled back after playing just 46 percent of snaps last week. Hurns has a plus matchup with the Bengals, but his setback risks give him a low floor at less than 100 percent.

Hurns gave the Dolphins a Wednesday scare but will be good to go for Sunday’s choice matchup with the Giants. Depending on the health of DeVante Parker (concussion) and Albert Wilson (concussion), Hurns could be the Dolphins’ No. 1 wideout. He is in the low-end WR4 mix in fantasy.