The Miami Dolphins placed cornerback Cam Smith and wide receiver River Cracraft on the injured reserve with a designation to return Tuesday.
The ability to place up to two players on injured reserve at the cuts deadline is a new rule added by the NFL in 2024. Previously, players had to occupy one of the final 53 roster spots for at least a day before being moved to the short-term IR. Players added to the IR prior to the cut deadline were ruled out for the remainder of the year.
Thanks to the change, the Dolphins were able to save two additional places on the roster and will be able to bring Smith and Cracraft back after they miss at least four games.
Both players were injured in the Dolphins’ second preseason game earlier this month. It was a hamstring injury for Smith and an undisclosed “upper body” issue for Cracraft.
Miami also kept Odell Beckham Jr., Bradley Chubb, Cam Goode, and Isaiah Wynn on the PUP list, ruling those four players out for at least four games, as well.
