A former linebacker with the Buffalo Bills, will not be reunited with the team because he is leaving for a division opponent.
Dodson was dismissed by the Seattle Seahawks this week, an unexpected move after starting all nine games and led the team with 71 overall tackles. There was some anticipation that the Bills may sign Dodson to help fill a linebacker need, but he was ultimately claimed by the Miami Dolphins.
Dodson joined the Bills in 2019 as an undrafted free agent, spending most of his rookie season on the practice squad before taking on a more prominent role in 2020. Over four seasons in Buffalo, he played in 68 games, recording a total of 143 tackles and 4.5 sacks.
Although there was some thought that the Bills might utilize Dodson, given that linebackers Matt Milano and Baylon Spector were still recovering from injuries, the Dolphins, who were ahead in the waiver order, claimed him.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald explained that the decision to release Dodson was made to create opportunities for other linebackers, including rookie Tyrice Knight. Rather than moving Dodson out of the starting lineup, Macdonald said they wanted to give him the chance to join a team where he could continue to play a key role.
“We have a lot of respect for T-Dot,” Macdonald said, as noted on the team’s official site. “He’s put in tremendous effort, working hard and rehabbing throughout the offseason. When we took a step back to evaluate our position, we realized that moving forward in this direction was the best decision, creating an opportunity for other guys in the room to step up. I hope they seize that chance and make the most of it, while this also gives Tyrel an opportunity to find a new team and finish the season on a high note. That was our thinking.”
Potential Defensive Boost for the Bills
The Bills may soon see a key addition to their defensive lineup. Head coach Sean McDermott shared this week that the team has activated the 21-day window for Milano to return, which allows him to resume practice.
Although Milano has already been ruled out for the upcoming game against the Kansas City Chiefs, his return appears to be approaching. McDermott explained that the team is monitoring his progress in practice, as he has made significant strides in his recovery from a torn pectoral sustained during training camp.
“We’re taking it week by week,” McDermott stated, per SI.com. “Since he’s been out for a while, it’s great to see how well he’s worked with our trainers to get to this point. For now, we’ll evaluate his status day by day and reassess by the end of the week to see what the next steps may be.”
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