Dolphins shake up kicking game, AFC East roundup

There were no AFC East games played yesterday, but front offices were busy, especially in Miami, where the Dolphins continued to tinker with their depth chart on defense and special teams.

Dolphins shuffle secondary and kicking room

Per Pro Football Rumors, the Miami Dolphins are parting ways with cornerback Storm Duck. The third-year defensive back opened the year on the reserve/PUP list and had his practice window opened three weeks ago. Instead of bringing him back onto the roster, Miami is cutting ties, another sign that the team is actively reshaping its secondary as it looks to climb out of an 0-5 start.

Pro Football Rumors also reports that the Dolphins are set to address their kicking situation. According to the outlet, Miami is signing kicker Zane Gonzalez to the practice squad in what is described as a reunion between player and team. The move puts direct pressure on Riley Patterson, whose time with the Dolphins is described as being near its end. Pro Football Rumors adds that Miami hosted star kicker Justin Tucker, underlining how seriously the club is evaluating its options at the position.

Patriots draw mixed projections vs. Bears

Attention on the field shifts toward the New England Patriots (4-2) and their upcoming matchup with the Chicago Bears. CBS Sports highlighted the game in two separate Week 7 prediction pieces. In one set of picks, Pete Prisco backs the Patriots to pull off an upset. In another, a different CBS analyst sides with Chicago in a close contest. The split underscores how difficult it remains to pin down exactly where this Patriots team stands despite its winning record.

Jets featured in first-round pick debate

The New York Jets (2-4) did not make transaction headlines, but they figured prominently in a CBS Sports feature examining how stockpiling first-round picks can shape a franchise. The piece notes how that strategy helped teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, and Seattle Seahawks build Super Bowl winners, while pointing to the Jets and Cleveland Browns as examples of how it can backfire when selections and development miss the mark. It’s a timely reminder that draft capital alone won’t solve New York’s long-term questions.

As for the Buffalo Bills (5-1), there were no specific headlines tied to roster moves or injuries over the last 24 hours, but their strong record keeps them firmly atop the AFC East as the rest of the division tries to keep pace.