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Allen Hurns

Dolphins Cut Jesse Davis, Allen Hurns

March 24th, 2022 at 1:39pm CST by Adam La Rose

In the aftermath of making two sizeable moves to bolster their offensive line and wide receiver corps, the Dolphins are making a pair or related moves at those positions. The team announced they have cut Jesse Davis and Allen Hurns. 

Davis, 30, had been with the Dolphins for his entire five-year career. He spent time at various spots across the offensive line, starting 72 of 80 total games. His best campaign, in terms of PFF grade, came in 2020 when he received a rating of 62.6. This past season, he surrendered eight sacks in 1,063 snaps.

The move comes after Davis played a large role in the Dolphins’ overall struggles along the offensive line, and at the tackle spots in particular. With left tackle Terron Armstead being signed to solidify that position, moving on from Davis seemed an inevitability to some.

The same could be said with regards to Hurns. The 30-year-old was placed on IR this past August due to a wrist injury which cost him a second consecutive season. For that reason, the Dolphins released him with a failed physical designation. During his only campaign in Miami, the former Hurricane posted 32 catches for 416 yards and two touchdowns.

Given yesterday’s trade for Tyreek Hill, though, Hurns could be seen even more so as being expendable. The team now has Hill at the top of the depth chart, along with standout rookie Jaylen Waddle and recent signee Cedrick Wilson.

As Pro Football Network’s Adam Beasley notes (on Twitter), the pair of moves saves the Dolphins $6.2MM in cap space. That financial room became much more needed with the two massive deals the team just made, while also streamlining the roster at two positions they needed to upgrade this offseason. Both Davis and Hurns, meanwhile, will look to find at least depth roles on new teams.

Dolphins Place WR Allen Hurns On IR

August 17th, 2021 at 4:11pm CST by Sam Robinson

Months away from his 30th birthday, Allen Hurns now faces the prospect of missing consecutive full seasons. After the veteran wide receiver suffered a wrist injury recently, the Dolphins placed him on IR Tuesday.

This transaction may well precede an injury settlement, which would send Hurns to free agency. The Dolphins, however, kept the former Jaguars starter this offseason — one that saw many teams simply cut role players who opted out in 2020 — rather than part ways early. Regardless, Hurns cannot play for the Dolphins this season because of this IR move.

The Dolphins revamped their receiving corps this spring, signing Will Fuller and using the No. 6 overall pick on Jaylen Waddle. Hurns and Albert Wilson‘s absences hurt last year’s Miami squad, but Wilson had impressed in this year’s training camp and is on the way back to the Dolphins’ active roster. Despite Miami extending Hurns late in the 2019 season, he may be on his way out of town.

Hurns’ wrist injury is set to sideline him for a few months, which could mean he ends up missing two straight full seasons. That will put the ex-Allen Robinson Jacksonville sidekick’s career in jeopardy, given his age. As a Parker supporting caster in 2019, Hurns caught 32 passes for 416 yards and two touchdowns. He did so after a scary injury in a Cowboys-Seahawks wild-card game the previous January, so Hurns has experience surmounting significant injuries and catching on elsewhere. The former UDFA has not come close to matching his 1,000-yard season from 2015, but a few teams have sought him as a veteran contributor.

In other moves to trim their roster to 85 players Tuesday, the Dolphins waived offensive tackles Jonathan Hubbard and Timon Parris, defensive tackle Jerome Johnson and guard Tyler Marz. They also cut cornerback Jaytlin Askew with an injury designation.

Dolphins WR Allen Hurns Out Three Months

August 16th, 2021 at 5:15pm CST by Ben Levine

Allen Hurns chances of making the Dolphins roster took a hit today. The veteran wideout suffered a wrist injury that will require surgery, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). The injury is expected to sideline Hurns for three months.

This is a tough break for the receiver, especially since the veteran was already eyeing an uphill battle to make the roster. The organization brought in veteran Will Fuller, sixth-overall pick Jaylen Waddle, and third rounder Lynn Bowden Jr. this past offseason, and they’ll also return 2020 starters DeVante Parker and Preston Williams, meaning the team has five receivers already locked in. Considering the 29-year-old Hurns was set to begin a two-year, $8MM extension this upcoming season, it wouldn’t have been a huge surprise if the organization opted for a younger, less-expensive alternative. The team could still realistically stash Hurns on their injured reserve, but the front office may just prefer the extra financial savings (especially if they don’t envision Hurns seeing the field when healthy).

Back in 2015, Hurns looked like a future star in Jacksonville, as the wideout collected 1,031 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns during his second season in the NFL. The receiver hasn’t managed to match those numbers since, but he still appeared in at least 10 games per season between 2016 and 2019, and he’s earned three contracts since his stint with the Jaguars ended after the 2017 campaign.

He signed with the Dolphins before the 2019 season, and after only a few months with the organization, the team was willing to give the receiver a two-year extension worth $8MM (with more than $3MM in guaranteed money). Hurns didn’t put up stellar numbers during his first season in Miami, finishing with 416 yards and a pair of touchdowns. 2020 would have been the first season of the veteran’s extension, but Hurns decided to opt out of the 2020 campaign.

Latest On Dolphins’ WRs

August 11th, 2021 at 4:59pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

For years the Dolphins have lacked quality receivers, but now they actually have an abundance of depth at the position. It’s a good problem to have, but it also means that some solid players could be on the outside looking in when we get to roster cut-downs.

There’s a lot of uncertainty at the position and a lot to sort through, and fortunately Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald just broke it all down. Albert Wilson flashed a ton of potential during his first season with the Dolphins in 2018, but injuries hampered him then and in 2019. He then opted out of the 2020 season, leading many to believe he’d be on the roster bubble this time around. However, it appears that he’s safe. Wilson is “going to be on the team,” Jackson writes, noting he’s been the most consistent receiver in camp.

The same can’t be said for 2020 third-round pick Lynn Bowden. The Kentucky product has “gone from slight front-runner to make the team to very much on the bubble with an underwhelming camp,” despite being the 80th overall pick just last year. In 10 games and four starts last year, Bowden had 28 catches for 211 yards.

Meanwhile, there’s some bad news on Preston Williams. The 2019 UDFA has looked like a diamond in the rough find the past couple years, but he apparently isn’t over the Lisfranc foot injury that cut his 2020 short. Although the team “originally was optimistic that Williams would be fine to start the season,” the Colorado State product now “appears iffy at best” for Week 1.

Jackson writes that Williams is a candidate to start the year on the PUP list, which would sideline him for the first six games. He also says the “odds are against” veteran Allen Hurns making the 53, even though Hurns has $1.2MM in guaranteed money coming his way.

Jackson also expects the Dolphins to be open to a potential trade of Jakeem Grant if a team in need of a returner is willing to part with a late-round pick. In addition to all these guys, Miami still has Will Fuller, DeVante Parker, and rookie first-rounder Jaylen Waddle at the top of the depth chart.

Release Candidate: Dolphins WR Allen Hurns

July 17th, 2021 at 12:32pm CST by Ben Levine

It was only about two years ago that the Dolphins handed Allen Hurns a two-year, $8MM extension. However, the veteran receiver now finds himself buried on the team’s depth chart, leading to speculation about his future in Miami.

Back in 2015, Hurns looked like a future star in Jacksonville, as the wideout collected 1,031 receiving yards and 10 games during his second season in the NFL. The receiver hasn’t managed to match those numbers since, but he still appeared in at least 10 games per season between 2016 and 2019, and he’s earned three contracts since his stint with the Jaguars ended after the 2017 campaign.

He signed with the Dolphins before the 2019 season, and after only a few months with the organization, the team was willing to give the receiver a two-year extension worth $8MM (with more than $3MM in guaranteed money). Hurns didn’t put up stellar numbers during his first season in Miami, finishing with 416 yards and a pair of touchdowns. 2020 would have been the first season of the veteran’s extension, but Hurns decided to opt out of the 2020 campaign.

That brings us to today, where Hurns now finds himself competing for one of the final receiver spots. The organization brought in veteran Will Fuller, sixth-overall pick Jaylen Waddle, and third rounder Lynn Bowden Jr. this past offseason. The team also returns 2020 starters DeVante Parker and Preston Williams, meaning the team also has five receivers locked in. At most, the Dolphins could hold on to two more receivers, but they could value the continuity of Albert Wilson or the special-teams/returning prowess of Mack Hollins and Jakeem Grant (respectively).

The one thing working in Hurns’ favor could be his contract. That two-year extension finally kicks in this year, and his dead cap hit ($3.36MM) is larger than his cap hit ($2.8MM). That’s the majority of Hurns’ guaranteed money, so Miami would have to eat that hit if they prefer to keep one of the handful of alternatives. The team could theoretically find a taker for the 29-year-old receiver via trade, but there probably wouldn’t be too many teams willing to give anything of value. More likely, these hypothetical suitors would just wait for the Dolphins to cut Hurns and take their chances in free agency.

Both sides will get more clarity during training camp and the preseason. After all, Hurns hasn’t played professional football in more than a year, and the receiver could ultimately show he belongs on the roster.

“Great feeling just being back in the end zone,” Hurns said last month (via The Athletic’s Josh Tolentino). “It is a great feeling always, but me just getting back out there, being with the guys — it feels good. I took a year off, but being back, seeing the guys, being out there with them, competing — that’s what it’s all about.”

We’ll see if Hurns sticks around long enough to compete during the regular season with his current teammates.

Extra Points: Dolphins, Samuels, USFL

June 22nd, 2021 at 2:35pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

Dolphins receivers Albert Wilson and Allen Hurns both opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19. Both are now back in Miami for 2021, and both say they don’t regret their decisions to opt out, via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. “There was never a time I second-guessed” the decision to opt out, Hurns said. Each player’s contract tolled, and each has a little over $1MM in guaranteed money for this season, but Jackson writes that they’re both fighting for roster spots. Wilson looked great after first joining the Dolphins in 2018, but a serious hip injury knocked him out after only seven games.

He came back in 2019, but wasn’t the same as he dealt with injuries. “I wasn’t comfortable doing things that [2019] year [but] I feel great right now — my whole body, including the hip,” Wilson said. Jackson writes that Wilson and Hurns have both looked sharp so far in practices after the time off. “They’re both in good shape,” said Dolphins coach Brian Flores. “There’s always a little rust from any player after having some time off, but I think they look really good.” With DeVante Parker, Will Fuller, and rookie first-rounder Jaylen Waddle at the top of the depth chart, it won’t be easy to get their old playing time back.

Here’s more from around the NFL as the offseason chugs along:

  • Speaking of players unlikely to get their 2019 playing time back, things don’t appear to be going well for Jaylen Samuels in Pittsburgh. After the Steelers drafted running back Najee Harris in the first round, Mark Kaboly of The Athletic writes that it’s “difficult to envision a scenario” where Samuels makes the team. Kaboly thinks Kalen Ballage and Benny Snell are battling it out for the last running back spot. The Steelers drafted Samuels in the fifth-round back in 2018, and he started three games as a rookie then four in 2019. He played a sizable hybrid role in 2019 as Ben Roethlisberger was sidelined with an elbow injury, rushing 66 times, reeling in 47 receptions for 305 yards, and even attempting five passes. But the NC State product fell out of favor with Mike Tomlin last year, only carrying the ball nine times and getting nine catches. Now it sounds like Samuels, who will turn 25 next month, will need to jump-start his career elsewhere.
  • The AAF, the XFL, The Spring League. The list of attempted NFL offseason football leagues has grown seemingly endless in recent years, and a new one is trying to throw their hat in the ring. That’s right, the USFL is attempting a re-launch, via ESPN.com News Wire. Owners like Dwayne Johnson purchased the league out of bankruptcy in 2020. The ill-fated USFL, which originally ran from 1983-85, is hoping to start play again in 2022. Their press release claimed they’ll have a minimum of eight teams and will “deliver high-quality, innovative professional football to fans.” They apparently have a broadcasting partnership set up with Fox Sports. These leagues are always long-shots, but the original USFL did attract some big-name star players like Herschel Walker, and with names like Johnson now involved, it’s possible they could overcome the odds.
  • Speaking of non-NFL football leagues, a former high profile college passer is headed to the CFL. Former Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson has signed with the BC Lions of the CFL, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. Patterson came to prominence when he became Ole Miss’ starter as a true freshman, and then later transferred to Michigan and had some tumultuous years under Jim Harbaugh. He signed with the Chiefs as an UDFA in 2020, but didn’t come particularly close to making the team.

2020 NFL Opt Out Tracker

August 5th, 2020 at 3:55pm CST by Zachary Links

Per an agreement between the NFL and the NFLPA, players with COVID-19 health concerns can opt out of the 2020 season. Initially, the deadline was believed to be Tuesday, August 4. Talks between the league and the union have pushed it to August 6.

Chiefs guard and medical school graduate Laurent Duvernay-Tardif was the first player to officially opt out. Scores of players followed.

Here’s the rundown, so far:

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Kansas City Chiefs

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  • T Brad Seaton

Tennessee Titans

  • OL Anthony McKinney

Washington Football Team

Free agents

Dolphins’ Allen Hurns Opts Out

August 4th, 2020 at 2:53pm CST by Zachary Links

Dolphins wide receiver Allen Hurns announced that he will opt out of the 2020 season (Twitter link). Hurns is the first Dolphins player to make the call, but he’s far from the first NFL player to do so. 

[RELATED: 2020 NFL Opt Out Tracker]

Hurns joined the Dolphins last summer and quickly earned an extension. In November, the Dolphins inked him to a two-year, $8MM deal with $3.27MM in guaranteed cash. Hurns was set to build off of his 32 grabs for 416 yards and two touchdowns, but that’ll have to wait until next year.

The remainder of Hurns’ deal will toll, meaning that he’ll be under club control through the 2022 season. Meanwhile, the Dolphins will move forward with Preston Williams, Isaiah Ford, Jakeem Grant, Gary Jennings, and Mack Hollins vying for time behind DeVante Parker and Albert Wilson.

The decision deadline has been set for Thursday afternoon. Already, roughly 50 NFL players have decided against playing.

Dolphins, Allen Hurns Agree To Extension

November 16th, 2019 at 3:13pm CST by Sam Robinson

Allen Hurns‘ Dolphins contract will now run past this season. The veteran wide receiver agreed on a two-year, $8MM deal Saturday, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.

The deal includes $3.27MM in guarantees. Hurns initially caught on with Miami in July and has served as a supporting-caster this season, catching 13 passes for 170 yards in his first year with the Dolphins.

A rebuilding team likely to add at least one key piece at receiver next year, the Dolphins now have Hurns, DeVante Parker, Albert Wilson, Jakeem Grant and Preston Williams signed beyond 2019. However, the respective deals for Parker and Wilson open the door to cap space-creating cuts. While the Dolphins do not need to clear cap space, being projected to possess more than $100MM next year, the rebuilding team may opt against employing three receivers with at least six years’ experience in 2020.

Once given an eight-figure-per-year deal as a Jaguar, Hurns has not built on his successful 2015 season. He eclipsed 1,000 yards in 2015 but has not cleared 500 in the three full seasons since. A severe injury ended his Cowboys season in the playoffs, but the former UDFA bounced back to secure a pact with his hometown team. The Miami native and former Miami Hurricane now has a second Dolphins contract, giving him some security in advance of what will be his age-29 season.

Dolphins To Sign WR Allen Hurns

July 26th, 2019 at 8:12am CST by Zachary Links

The Dolphins have signed wide receiver Allen Hurns, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald (on Twitter). When finalized, it’ll be a one-year, $3MM deal for the veteran. 

The Cowboys released Hurns earlier this week when he declined to accept a pay cut. The Cowboys were reportedly interested in bringing him back on a cheaper deal, but he’ll be taking his talents to South Beach instead.

With the Dolphins, Hurns profiles as a strong depth option behind the likes of Kenny Stills, Albert Wilson, DeVante Parker, and Jakeem Grant. Meanwhile, his arrival may put Brice Butler – another former Cowboy – on the bubble.

When Hurns was younger, and healthy, he was among the most promising receivers in the NFL. The former undrafted free agent began his career with 51 catches for 677 yards and six scores for the Jaguars in 2014. In 2015, he set career highs with 64 grabs for 1,031 yards and ten touchdowns. In that campaign, he averaged an impressive 16.1 yards per reception.

Since then, Hurns has been sidetracked by injuries. He hasn’t topped 40 catches for 500 yards in the last three campaigns and was used sparingly in Dallas last season.

While there is a decent about of receiver talent in Miami, there’s an opportunity for Hurns to break through and shine with a rebuilding club. With a strong year, the 27-year-old (28 in November) could put himself back in the hunt for big money deals.

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