1p.m. update: Dolphins starting weakside linebacker Dannell Ellerbe, one of the team's highest-paid players, was placed on injured reserve today with a hip injury and will miss the rest of the season, the team said this afternoon. Ellerbe is undoing surgery and will not have the IR designation that would allow him to return during the season.
The Dolphins signed fourth-year linebacker Kelvin Sheppard to fill the roster spot. Sheppard, a third round pick by Buffalo out of LSU in 2011, started 15 games for the Bills in 2012 but was traded to Indianapolis for Jerry Hughes.
He started seven games for the Colts last season, as well as two playoff games, but was cut in late August.
Defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle said Sheppard "a big, physical linebacker, good athlete with size and strength. He has been good against the run."
Pro Football Focus rated Sheppard 43rd of 55 inside linebackers last season --- 45th against the run and 32nd against the pass. Quarterbacks had an 88.9 rating in his coverage area.
Meanwhile, linebacker Koa Misi remains out with an ankle sprain. He was in a walking boot Sunday and the timetable for his return is undetermined.
The team's third starting linebacker, Philip Wheeler, hopes to return soon from a thumb injury.
Coyle bemoaned the loss of Ellerbe. "Dannell is a heck of a player," he said. "We were excited about the prospects of him moving back to" weakside linebacker from middle linebacker.
Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/spor...-and-hurricanes-quick-hits.html#storylink=cpy
The Dolphins signed fourth-year linebacker Kelvin Sheppard to fill the roster spot. Sheppard, a third round pick by Buffalo out of LSU in 2011, started 15 games for the Bills in 2012 but was traded to Indianapolis for Jerry Hughes.
He started seven games for the Colts last season, as well as two playoff games, but was cut in late August.
Defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle said Sheppard "a big, physical linebacker, good athlete with size and strength. He has been good against the run."
Pro Football Focus rated Sheppard 43rd of 55 inside linebackers last season --- 45th against the run and 32nd against the pass. Quarterbacks had an 88.9 rating in his coverage area.
Meanwhile, linebacker Koa Misi remains out with an ankle sprain. He was in a walking boot Sunday and the timetable for his return is undetermined.
The team's third starting linebacker, Philip Wheeler, hopes to return soon from a thumb injury.
Coyle bemoaned the loss of Ellerbe. "Dannell is a heck of a player," he said. "We were excited about the prospects of him moving back to" weakside linebacker from middle linebacker.
Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/spor...-and-hurricanes-quick-hits.html#storylink=cpy
