The Miami Dolphins signed running back Coleman Bennett on August 26, waiving injured tight end Cole Turner to open a roster spot. The transaction is a late-training-camp move with two distinct consequences: Miami adds depth to its backfield, and Turner's injury makes him a roster casualty.
Bennett, a rookie, enters a running back room that has been rotating bodies throughout camp. He won't unseat the starters. His path to the 53-man roster runs through special teams and pass protection, the two areas where backup backs actually earn jobs. The Dolphins will give him a look in the final preseason games, and his performance there will shape the decision.
Turner's waiver designation is the more mechanical part. Waived/injured means he goes on waivers first; if unclaimed, he reverts to Miami's injured reserve and would sit out the 2026 season unless he and the team reach an injury settlement. That's a straightforward outcome for a tight end who was fighting for a depth spot.
The signing signals the Dolphins believe their backfield needed more work than their tight end room. They're betting that a healthy, unproven runner is more valuable than an injured player they'd have to carry for weeks. It's a low-stakes bet, but it says something about where the coaching staff sees its roster needs.
Bennett now has a defined opportunity. The next few practices and one preseason game will determine whether he's still with Miami when the season starts.