In a move to bolster their ravaged defensive lineup, the Miami Dolphins have acquired veteran pass rushers Justin Houston and Bruce Irvin. The signings come off the back of a slew of injuries that have depleted Miami's defense prior to their wild-card clash with the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday. As CBS News Miami reports, three Dolphin players were recently placed on injured reserve, with Jerome Baker, Cameron Goode, and Andrew Van Ginkel among those sidelined.
According to the same CBS News Miami report, the duo of Houston and Irvin are set to inject some much-needed experience into the linebacker corps. Houston, close to celebrating his 35th birthday on Jan. 21, is a four-time Pro Bowl selectee and was released by the Carolina Panthers last month, following a season which saw him notch up nine tackles and half a sack over seven games. Conversely, Irvin, aged 36 was let go from the Detroit Lions’ practice squad just last week after managing a single sack across two appearances this season.
The signings could prove to be critical for the Dolphins who concluded their regular season without their top two edge rushers, Jaelan Phillips suffering an Achilles tendon injury and Bradley Chubb down with an ACL problem. As Reuters highlighted, Houston's pedigree includes 112 career sacks and a keen familiarity with the Chiefs, making the upcoming game a noteworthy homecoming of sorts. He initially made his mark in the league with Kansas City, cementing his stance as a formidable defensive player.
News of Irvin's return to the gridiron after his stint with Detroit adds an extra layer of veteran savvy to the mix. The first-round pick from the 2012 draft touts 56.5 career sacks and a reputation for being a solid, though not spectacular, contributor when called upon. The Miami Dolphins' initiative, to sign Houston and Irvin amidst their playoff push indicates a clear resolve to fortify their ranks in the face of adversity, with experts and fans alike keeping a close eye on how these last-minute additions will impact the team's playoff fortunes.
