Full Breakdown
Dolphins Cut Veteran Cornerback Nick McCloud Hours Before Preseason Game
8/22/2026, 11:59:57 PM
Core Event: Release of Nick McCloud
The Miami Dolphins announced the release of cornerback Nick McCloud on the morning of their second preseason contest against the New York Giants at Hard Rock Stadium. The move came just hours before kickoff, ending a 12-day tenure that began when the team signed him on August 10.
Background & Context: Secondary in Flux
Miami entered training camp without its 2025 starting cornerbacks Rasul Douglas and Jack Jones Jr., who left in free agency, and with starting safeties Ashtyn Davis and Minkah Fitzpatrick also gone. Injuries had left several young players on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, including Storm Duck and Darrell Baker Jr. The Dolphins’ secondary therefore featured a crowded competition among Storm Duck, JuJu Brents, Chris Johnson, Jason Marshall Jr., Ethan Bonner, Marco Wilson and other hopefuls.
Data & Statistics: McCloud’s Career Profile
- Games played / starts: 63 regular-season games, 20 starts over five seasons.
- Tackles: 110 total, including 27 tackles with the Chicago Bears in 2025.
- Passes defensed: 12 career, with two in his 2025 Bears stint.
- Other production: 1.5 sacks, one interception, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
- Recent activity: Appeared in 15 games for the Bears in 2025, starting four; recorded a single tackle in the Dolphins’ previous preseason game against Washington.
Official Statements & Responses
The brief statement offered no explanation. NFL analyst Alain Poupart, who follows the team on X, noted the rarity of a player being cut on the day of a preseason game, suggesting the decision reflected the coaching staff’s growing confidence in other secondary options.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This is a tough race to handicap because Duck and Baker didn’t take part in spring practices as they rehabbed injuries. If not for his October torn ACL, Duck should be a slam dunk for this group, but now there’s some uncertainty, though we’ve still got him penciled in.” — Marco Wilson. Poupart
- “This is another position where we’d almost anticipate a roster addition before the start of camp, but as things stand now the only question is whether Moore — the impressive rookie free agent from Indiana — can make a push for a spot.” — Lonnie Johnson Jr. He
Why It Matters
Releasing McCloud eliminates a veteran presence who could contribute on special teams and provide depth against the Giants’ passing attack. The move underscores head coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan’s willingness to prioritize younger, healthier players as the roster approaches the 53-man deadline.
What’s Next
The Dolphins will finalize their 53-man roster in the coming weeks, with the secondary likely to feature the younger players highlighted by analysts. McCloud becomes a free-agent veteran cornerback available to other teams before the regular season begins.
