Dolphins settle punter by releasing Stonehouse. And news from light practice

Miami Herald

a day ago

Jake Bailey has held off Ryan Stonehouse in the battle for the Dolphins' punter job.
Stonehouse was released Tuesday, his agent Jon Perla, told The Miami Herald. The Dolphins confirmed later in the day that Bailey will be the Dolphins' punter for a third consecutive season.
Bailey won the job in part because of his consistency in recent weeks, special teams coordinator Craig Aukerman said.
On three punts in preseason games, Bailey averaged 56 yards, with an average net of 53. He placed two punts inside the 20.
On his three punts in preseason games, Stonehouse averaged 43.3 yards, with an average net of 40.3. He placed one inside the 20.
Keeping Stonehouse would have been cheaper. Neither punter has a guaranteed salary for this season, but Bailey is slated to make $1.95 million. That salary becomes fully guaranteed after the first week of the season.
Stonehouse would have made $1.2 million if he had won the punter's job but now won't pocket anything. His release leaves the Dolphins with a very modest $75,000 dead money cap hit.
Stonehouse led the league in yards per punt in 2022 and 2023, averaging 53.1 each season. Stonehouse was coached those seasons by then-Titans special teams coach Aukerman, who replaced Danny Crossman as the Dolphins' special teams coach this offseason.
Aukerman said 'hats off to both of those guys. Really proud of them. I know Ryan will be punting somewhere in the National Football League. We just felt going forward Jake would be our guy. Really happy with [his] consistency throughout camp, whether it's [practice] or preseason games.'
Last season, Bailey averaged 47.1 yards per punt, which was 16th in the league, after averaging 45.7 yards for Miami in 2023.
In the significant measurement of net yards per punt, Stonehouse averaged 43.4 yards, 44.3 yards and 38.3 yards the past three seasons, while Bailey averaged 40.7 each of the past two seasons with Miami after joining the Dolphins following four years with New England.
During the past three seasons, 33.3%, 52.8% and 30.1% of Stonehouse's punts have landed inside the opponent's 20-yard line, compared to 37.7% and 39.3% for Bailey in his two years in Miami.
As far as touchbacks per punt are concerned, Stonehouse finished at 10%, 18.9% and 9.6% in his three years in the league. Bailey was at 5.7% and 8.9% in his two years in Miami.
The Dolphins held a light indoor practice — akin to a glorified walk-through — in their indoor facility at Miami Gardens, and the team again opted not to activate tight end Darren Waller from the physically unable to perform list.
Coach Mike McDaniel said Waller might be back this week. Waller has been back into game shape after a year in retirement. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said on WSVN 7 that he will be ready to contribute in the Sept. 7 opener at the Colts.
Running back De'Von Achane (calf) did not participate, and McDaniel has said it's unlikely he will participate in the final two preseason practices — Wednesday and then Thursday's joint session with the Jaguars.
Receiver Tyreek Hill (oblique) caught some passes from a machine and worked out alongside Achane.
Linebacker Jaelan Phillips practiced after missing the past week with an undisclosed injury. Fullback Alec Ingold and linebacker Mo Kamara wore red noncontact jerseys; both are in concussion protocol.