The Miami Dolphins brought back a familiar face at linebacker but cut ties with an NFL fan favorite in the process.
The Dolphins released linebacker Shaquem Griffin, a player beloved by football fans for his story of overcoming his amputated left hand to become a college football star at Central Florida and then reach the NFL, from their practice squad to make room to sign Vince Biegel.
Biegel started training camp this preseason with the Dolphins before Miami released him with an injury settlement on Sept. 7. He was originally placed on injured reserve on Aug. 28 in a corresponding move as the Dolphins acquired center Greg Mancz from the Baltimore Ravens in a trade.
Biegel was a valuable member of the 2019 Dolphins defense, starting 10 of 15 games after he was acquired from the New Orleans Saints in a trade for former linebacker Kiko Alonso. That first year for the Dolphins under coach Brian Flores, Biegel produced 59 tackles, 2 1/2 sacks, a team-leading 13 quarterback hits and one interception that year.
He then missed the 2020 season after suffering a torn left Achilles tendon in the preseason. This preseason, he was last seen with a walking boot on his right foot at a joint practice with the Chicago Bears on Aug. 12.
Griffin first signed with the Dolphins in July ahead of training camp after spending his first three professional seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. Contributing largely on special teams in Seattle, he recorded 25 tackles and notched his first career sack last December against the New York Jets.
Griffin did not make the Dolphins’ 53-man regular-season roster on cut-down day Aug. 31, but he was signed to the practice squad, where he has remained throughout the season.
A St. Petersburg native, Griffin was most known for his contributions in college on the UCF defense, especially on the Knights’ 2017 undefeated team. He had his left hand amputated when he was 4 years old because of amniotic-band syndrome, a congenital condition.
