The Miami Dolphins acquired linebacker and former first-round pick Stephone Anthony in a swooping trade with the New Orleans Saints on Wednesday. Anthony will provide Miami much needed pass-rushing depth with Rey Maualuga still recovering from an injury and Lawrence Timmons serving a suspension for his AWOL.
Update on Timmons’ situation
The Dolphins suspended Timmons indefinitely for leaving the team hotel the night after their season-opener against the Los Angeles Chargers last Sunday. The 31-year old linebacker was later found at Los Angeles International Airport early Sunday morning but he was listed as inactive for the game.
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Timmons left the team without permission after “growing angry about something not related to the team.” Adam Gase was asked for more details on the linebacker’s absence, and as expected, the Dolphins head coach took the high road.
"Nothing to add, for what I have right now," Gase told reporters via Bleacher Report. "Really just gathering a lot of information. I've got a few other things I have to deal with the guys who played yesterday."
Timmons, who played 10 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, signed a two-year, $12 million deal ($11 million guaranteed) with the Dolphins last offseason. His recent actions could bring him both short and long-term repercussions financially.
Aside from the prospect of losing hundreds of thousands of dollars, the linebacker could have his guaranteed money ($4.5M) for 2018 season jeopardized because of the suspension.
How does Anthony’s arrival impact Timmons future?
In the wake of Timmons’ suspension, the Dolphins made a power move by trading for Stephone Anthony, who was drafted No.
31 overall in the 2015 NFL Draft. The former Clemson Tigers pass-rusher had a solid rookie year but a move to strongside linebacker and injuries diminished his role with the Saints. Now with the Dolphins, Anthony viewed the trade as a blessing in disguise for his career.
“I’m not sure if it’s a fifth-round pick (the pick Miami conceded for him) … it doesn’t matter honestly,” Anthony said via Daily Dolphin.
“This is about me and my new opportunity. I’m excited. What those guys have going on, it’s now their problem.”
The pressing question now is will the acquisition of Anthony force the Dolphins to explore trade options for Timmons. Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald believed a trade involving the veteran linebacker is highly unlikely, saying it would be premature for Gase and the front-office to give up on Timmons before he makes his official debut.
“And a rehabilitated Timmons can help the Dolphins in that endeavor. So it is incumbent upon everyone to give Timmons a second chance to make a first-game impression,” Salguero noted.
