The Miami Dolphins activated wide receiver River Cracraft from injured reserve Tuesday.
Cracraft, a sound reserve wideout and top run blocker among Miami’s receiving corps, was up against his 21-day practice window the Dolphins opened up Oct. 25 when he was initially designated to return. He was on IR for a shoulder injury suffered Sept. 24 against the Denver Broncos.
To make room on the active roster for Cracraft, the Dolphins waived cornerback Kelvin Joseph.
In three games and a start with the Dolphins, Cracraft had six receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown in the team’s season-opening win at the Los Angeles Chargers.
Cracraft is the fifth player the Dolphins have activated off IR this season, joining cornerback Jalen Ramsey, offensive tackle Terron Armstead, running back Jeff Wilson Jr. and offensive lineman Robert Jones.
Miami has also already opened the 21-day window on running back De’Von Achane, with the possibility he returns to the lineup for Sunday’s game against the Raiders off his knee injury.
NFL teams are allowed to designate eight players to return (the point where they begin practice) from either IR or the non-football injury list, and Miami has used six of those spots with eight games remaining.
Offensive lineman Isaiah Wynn and running back Chris Brooks (IR) and wide receiver Erik Ezukanma (NFI) are players currently on those lists, but the Dolphins could hold off on bringing back either of them this season if more vital players sustain injuries that will cost them weeks but not the remainder of the season. Wynn, though, started Miami’s first seven games at left guard, so if he’s able to return late in the season from his quadriceps ailment, it would be a valuable return.
Joseph was the return the Dolphins got in the preseason trade that sent fellow cornerback Noah Igbinoghene to the Dallas Cowboys. Joseph played in four games this season with Miami, mostly on special teams while getting all 21 defensive snaps at the end of back-to-back blowout games in Weeks 3 and 4, the 70-20 win over the Denver Broncos and 48-20 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
In another wide receiver move Wednesday, the Dolphins signed South Florida-raised speedster Anthony Schwartz to the practice squad.
