The Miami Dolphins announced yesterday evening that they were releasing 2020 5th-round selection Curtis Weaver, a surprising move after what was generally perceived to be a great value pick by the Dolphins on Day 3 of the 2020 NFL Draft. On the surface level, Weaver being released by the Dolphins isn’t a very strong endorsement for what he was able to show during his time around the team this summer — but when you dig deeper there is a clear motive for the Dolphins’ decision.
We have waived/injured DE Curtis Weaver.
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) August 24, 2020
Yes, Miami waived Curtis Weaver, but the team did so with an injury designation, meaning the team is intending to retain Weaver’s services but place him on the injured reserve list for the 2020 season. Weaver, who suffered a foot injury during Saturday’s padded practice, is the Mountain West career leader in sacks after his time at Boise State and was widely considered a top-100 prospect in April’s draft before tumbling down to pick No. 164.
Because Weaver has no NFL tenure, he must be exposed to waivers before getting placed on the injured reserve list if the Dolphins hope to avoid eating up an active roster spot for camp. Miami could have avoided the waiver process by retaining Weaver on their active roster until the team cut down to 53-active players. But in undertaking this process, it suggests two things — first and foremost that the Dolphins don’t believe Weaver is going to play any time soon but also that they aren’t enamored enough with his play to avoid taking risks to retain him.
But ultimately this move makes sense for Miami for the fact that Weaver, despite his pre-draft popularity, did indeed slip into the 5th-round of the draft and there is no practice tape or preseason reps for other teams to change their opinions on him. With Weaver now carrying an injury, Miami must feel it appropriate to roll the dice and hope that no one calls their bluff after placing Weaver on the waiver wire. We’ll know this afternoon if the bet pays off and Miami can keep Weaver on injured reserve and simultaneously pick up another roster spot or not.