Jonas

Gray

An undrafted free agent out of Notre Dame, Gray was only featured during his senior season and amassed 791 rushing yards with 12 touchdowns. However, he suffered a torn right ACL with two games remaining in the season. Gray took part in some of the school’s Pro Day activities but did not complete testing for scouts. The Dolphins may try to stash Gray on injured reserve for a season.

A one-cut power back out of Notre Dame, Gray did not participate in training camp after tearing his ACL late in his senior season. He’ll probably be “redshirted” for all of 2012 and compete for a roster spot next summer.

A one-cut power back who went undrafted this past April out of Notre Dame, Gray will probably have to show special teams chops for the Dolphins to formally activate him from the non-football/injury list. The Dolphins’ current three-deep at tailback remains Reggie Bush, Daniel Thomas, and rookie Lamar Miller.

“We feel very good about Jonas Gray coming off the knee,” Ireland said. “Then Mike Gillislee. There’s youth at the position. There’s special teams value there.” A 2012 UDFA out of Notre Dame, Gray missed his first NFL season due to a right ACL tear suffered during his senior year. He’s a one-cut power back and perhaps someone to monitor as a deep sleeper for 2013 fantasy football.

Gray is more of a powerful, early-down banger with short-yardage potential. Gillislee has been mediocre in preseason games, but was drafted by GM Jeff Ireland, likely giving him the edge. Gray will be a prime practice squad candidate. Lamar Miller and Daniel Thomas are locked in as Miami’s top two running backs.

Gray showed better tackle-breaking and short-yardage ability than Daniel Thomas in preseason games, but Thomas is a former second-round pick and Gray is a 2012 UDFA. So the Fins kept the player in which they had more invested. Gray does figure to clear waivers and has practice squad eligibility remaining.

Notre Dame product Gray shined in the preseason with his short-yardage prowess, but his game is otherwise limited. He outplayed Daniel Thomas throughout August. The Patriots have a growing fondness for power-oriented hammer backs like Stevan Ridley, LeGarrette Blount, and now Gray.

Gray suffered a quad injury early in training camp. He’ll revert to I.R. when he clears waivers. Jacksonville claimed DT T.J. Barnes in a corresponding move.

“Blitz pickup days against the linebackers,” Gray said. “Those are where you can make your hay if you don’t get a whole lot of reps. Just playing mistake-free, execute and those reps will start changing, and you’ll start getting more and more.” Gray is battling Denard Robinson, Corey Grant, and Joe Banyard for roster spots behind Chris Ivory and T.J. Yeldon. He faces an uphill climb.

That takes him off the Jaguars’ injured reserve list. Gray hurt his quad early on in training camp and it’s unclear when he might return. He managed just 54 yards on 14 carries in his two games for Jacksonville last season.