Dolphins Signed Linebacker Shaka Heyward
The Miami Dolphins added linebacker Shaka Heyward to their 53-man roster from the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Football
Live Poll
Do you support your local NFL team signing additional depth players during a losing season?
The Miami Dolphins have signed linebacker Shaka Heyward, an undrafted free agent from Duke, to their 53-man roster. The team made the move to address thin depth at the linebacker position following injuries to key players.
Why it matters
The signing aims to bolster a defense that is struggling early in the season, as the Dolphins currently hold an 0-3 record. Injuries to linebackers Ronnie Harrison Jr. and Trey Moore have left the roster short-handed, prompting the front office to look for immediate help from practice squads.
Shaka Heyward is a 6-foot-3 linebacker who has appeared in 18 total NFL games. He recorded 16 tackles in 12 games during the 2025 season after tallying six tackles across six games in 2024.
The players
Shaka Heyward
He is a professional linebacker who entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Duke University.
Miami Dolphins
This is a professional football team based in Miami that competes in the AFC East division.
Cincinnati Bengals
This is a professional football team based in Cincinnati that competes in the AFC North division.
Ronnie Harrison Jr.
He is a linebacker currently serving on the injured reserve for the Miami Dolphins.
Trey Moore
He is a linebacker currently serving on the injured reserve for the Miami Dolphins.
The details
The Dolphins moved to acquire Heyward after placing linebackers Ronnie Harrison Jr. and Trey Moore on injured reserve. Heyward, who previously played for the Cincinnati Bengals, brings experience to a Miami defensive unit currently navigating an 0-3 start.
Timeline
Shaka Heyward recorded six tackles in six games during the 2024 season.
Shaka Heyward recorded 16 total tackles in 12 games during the 2025 season.
The Miami Dolphins signed Shaka Heyward on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This move highlights the Dolphins' desperate attempt to stabilize their defensive rotation during an 0-3 start to the season. The acquisition underscores the reliance on depth players as the team manages significant injury setbacks among its core linebacking group.
The addition of Heyward provides necessary depth for the Dolphins' special teams and defensive rotations while the team attempts to improve on its 0-3 record. Fantasy owners and fans should note that this signing directly offsets the availability loss caused by the placement of Ronnie Harrison Jr. and Trey Moore on injured reserve.
The takeaway
Roster fluidity is a constant reality for NFL teams managing an early-season injury crisis. Fans can monitor future waiver wire activity to see if this addition successfully improves the team's defensive performance.
Further reading
For more updates on the roster, visit Football.
Live Poll
Do you support your local NFL team signing additional depth players during a losing season?
