Dolphins waive Ryan Miller, claim Jared Wayne; add Jordan Jefferson to practice squad, release Mazi Smith
The Miami Dolphins announced on Oct. 13, 2026, that they waived wide receiver Ryan Miller and claimed wide receiver Jared Wayne off waivers from Houston. The team also signed defensive lineman Jordan Jefferson to the practice squad and released defensive lineman Mazi Smith from the practice squad, according to a club release. The transactions adjust depth at receiver and along the defensive front as the team manages its roster.
Jefferson has appeared in 10 career games in two NFL seasons with Jacksonville (2024), San Francisco (2025) and Cincinnati (2025), recording 12 tackles (five solo), 1.0 sack, one tackle for loss and one pass defensed, the Dolphins said. He entered the NFL as a fourth-round selection (116th overall) by Jacksonville in the 2024 NFL Draft. Collegiately, Jefferson appeared in 55 games with 23 starts in five seasons at West Virginia (2019-22) and LSU (2023). He recorded 90 tackles (36 solo), 6.0 sacks, 21.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble and eight passes defensed in college.
Miller joined Miami via waivers on Aug. 25, 2026, and has appeared in 30 career games with six starts in four NFL seasons with Tampa Bay (2023-25) and Miami (2026), the team said. He has 17 career receptions for 254 yards (14.9 avg.) and four touchdowns and also appeared in one postseason game with the Buccaneers. Miller entered the NFL as an undrafted college free agent in 2023 after a collegiate career at Furman, where he played tight end and appeared in 53 career games with 42 starts and recorded 151 receptions for 2,146 yards (14.2 avg.) and 28 touchdowns. He earned All-America honors and was an All-Southern Conference selection in 2020 and 2021.
Smith joined Miami’s practice squad on Sept. 1, 2026, and played in Miami’s Week 4 matchup at Minnesota before being released, according to the club. He has appeared in 43 career games with 20 starts in three seasons with Dallas (2023-25) and the New York Jets (2025), recording 57 tackles (31 solo) and 2.0 sacks. He also appeared in one postseason game with Dallas. Smith entered the NFL with Dallas as the 27th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft after a collegiate career at Michigan in which he appeared in 35 games with 28 starts and recorded 88 tackles (39 solo), a 0.5 sack, 6.0 tackles for loss, four passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery, earning two All-Big Ten selections (2021-22).
Wayne has appeared in nine career games with four starts in three NFL seasons with Houston (2024-26), recording six receptions for 85 yards (14.2 avg.), the Dolphins said. He also started in one postseason game with the Texans. Wayne entered the NFL as an undrafted college free agent with Houston in 2023 after a collegiate career at Pittsburgh in which he appeared in 41 games with 23 starts and recorded 146 receptions for 2,308 yards (15.8 avg.) and 13 touchdowns.
NFL Sports Blog Take
These moves reflect routine roster management as the Dolphins shuffle depth at wide receiver and along the defensive line. Claiming Jared Wayne adds a receiver with strong college production and some pro starts, while waiving Ryan Miller removes a player with limited regular-season production but prior postseason experience. Adding Jordan Jefferson to the practice squad brings a recent fourth-round pick with early NFL snaps and pass-rush upside, and releasing Mazi Smith frees a practice-squad spot after his recent activation and playing time.