Braxton Berrios exited the Dolphins’ Week 7 loss with a signficant knee injury, and it will lead to a notable absence. The veteran receiver/returner has been placed on injured reserve, per a team announcement. Confirming a return will not take place this season, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Barrios suffered an ACL tear. 
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Berrios has not made a catch this season, although his absence will thin a receiving corps which has been dealt a number of blows on the injury front already this season. Most notably, Miami’s return game will suffer with him out of the fold. Berrios has averaged 14.7 yards per punt return in 2024, the highest figure of his career.
As a pending free agent, the nature of the 29-year-old’s injury will no doubt affect his market value during the spring. Berrios will sidelined for the rest of the season, leaving Miami in need of a new primary returner option. Tyreek Hill and De’Von Achane could handle those duties, but their importance to the team’s offense could lead to another candidate receiving a look.
In a corresponding move, the Dolphins activated cornerback Cam Smith from IR. The second-year cover man was among the many NFL players who were moved to IR during roster cutdowns while being designated for return. As a result, he already accounts for one of Miami’s eight in-season activations. Smith returned to practice when first eligible, and this moves ensures he will not revert to season-ending IR before his 21-day activation window expires.
Smith faced high expectations as a rookie, but the second-rounder did not manage to carve out a role under then-defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. He handled a notable special teams workload, something which may remain the case upon return, but it will be interesting to see if Smith can work his way up the depth chart under new DC Anthony Weaver. On the other hand, Miami’s pass defense is the best in the league at 155 yards allowed per game, so any major lineup changes in the secondary would come as a surprise.