Story perspectives

Dolphins cut Nick McCloud hours before Giants preseason

8/22/2026

Summary

Dolphins Cut McCloud

Miami Dolphins cut veteran cornerback Nick McCloud hours before their preseason matchup with the New York Giants.
McCloud signed with Miami on August 10, ending a brief two-week stint.
He appeared in 15 games for the Chicago Bears last season, starting four and making 27 tackles.
In the prior preseason game versus the Commanders, McCloud recorded one tackle in the fourth quarter.

Summary

Dolphins Lose Depth

The Dolphins lost former starters Rasul Douglas and Jack Jones Jr., creating a cornerback void.
Free agency departures of starting safeties Ashtyn Davis and Minkah Fitzpatrick thinned the secondary.
Injuries left JuJu Brents and Storm Duck questionable before the regular season.
Darrell Baker Jr. remains on the Physically Unable to Perform list, limiting cornerback depth.
Coach Jeff Hafley and GM Jon-Eric Sullivan plan to finalize the 53-man roster soon.

History

Historical Context

When the NFL imposed its first hard salary cap for the 1994 season—set at $34.6 million—teams began shedding high-paid veterans to stay under the limit. Many clubs, including the Miami Dolphins, cut dozens of players, a pattern echoed today as GM Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley trim cornerback Nick McCloud hours before a preseason game.

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Dolphins Cut McCloud

Miami Dolphins cut veteran cornerback Nick McCloud hours before their preseason matchup with the New York Giants.
McCloud signed with Miami on August 10, ending a brief two-week stint.
He appeared in 15 games for the Chicago Bears last season, starting four and making 27 tackles.
In the prior preseason game versus the Commanders, McCloud recorded one tackle in the fourth quarter.

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