MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins today announced they have activated tackle Austin Jackson off injured reserve and elevated wide receiver Kirk Merritt as a COVID-19 replacement.
Jackson started the first four games of the 2020 season at left tackle. He was a first-round pick (18th overall) by Miami in the 2020 NFL draft. Jackson played collegiately at Southern California, where he earned first-team All-Pac 12 honors as a junior in 2019.
Merritt has spent the 2020 season on Miami’s practice squad. He originally entered the league as an undrafted college free agent with the Dolphins on April 29, 2020. Merritt was a two-year starter (2018-19) at Arkansas State, where he earned first-team All-Sun Belt honors both years. He led the conference in receptions (83) and receiving yards (1,005) as a junior in 2018.
| Name | Pos. | Hgt. | Wgt. | Birthdate | Exp. | College | Hometown | Acq. |
| Austin Jackson | T | 6-5 | 325 | 8/11/99 | R | USC ’20 | Phoenix, Ariz. | D1b, ‘20 |
| Kirk Merritt | WR | 6-0 | 214 | 1/5/97 | R | Arkansas State ’20 | Destrehan, La. | FA, ‘20 |
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins today announced they have placed wide receiver Lynn Bowden Jr. on the reserve/COVID-19* list.
Bowden has played in four games with one start for the Dolphins this season, totaling four carries for nine yards (2.3 avg.) and one reception for -1 yard. He was acquired by the Dolphins in a trade with Las Vegas on Sept. 5, 2020. Bowden originally entered the NFL as a third-round pick (80th overall) by the Raiders in the 2020 NFL draft.
*This new reserve list category was created for a player who either tests positive for COVID-19 or who has been quarantined after having been in close contact with an infected person or persons. If a player falls into either of these categories, their club is required to immediately place the player on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Per agreed upon NFL-NFLPA policy, clubs are not permitted to comment on a player’s medical status other than referring to roster status. Clubs may not disclose whether a player is in quarantine or is positive for COVID-19.
