The Dolphins have already filled the roster spot previously held by injured defensive tackle Earl Mitchell. Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports that the team has signed linebacker Donald Butler. The 27-year-old worked out for the Dolphins earlier today.
Butler, a former third-round pick, spent his entire six-year career with the Chargers before being released by the team in March. After missing his rookie season with a torn ACL, the linebacker found his own through his first several seasons in the league. The team later gave the defender a contract extension, but Butler quickly found himself in the doghouse in San Diego.
He landed on the injured reserve in 2014, and he found himself on the bench for half of the 2015 season. Butler set career-lows across the board last season, compiling 43 tackles, 0.5 sacks, and no passes defended. Butler briefly caught on with the Cardinals this offseason, but he failed to make the final 53-man roster.
The Dolphins were certainly in the market for a linebacker, as the team reportedly hosted veteran A.J. Hawk yesterday.