Needham, Ezukanma among Dolphins’ cuts. Here’s a full list. And Cracraft, Smith move to IR

The Dolphins, at least temporarily, parted ways with veteran cornerback Nik Needham and receiver Erik Ezukanma — the most prominent of 28 players released by the team on Tuesday in advance of the 4 p.m. deadline to trim rosters to 53.

The Dolphins also placed cornerback Cam Smith and receiver River Cracraft on injured reserve, with a designation allowing them to return after four games.

Receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list, sidelining him for at least four games.

In a surprise, long snapper Blake Ferguson was also released after four seasons with the team. But the expectation is that he will re-sign with the team.

A look at the Dolphins’ cuts, by position:

▪ Cornerback: The Dolphins kept one of their three promising undrafted rookie corners; Storm Duck made the initial 53-man roster, but Isaiah Johnson and Jason Maitre were released.

The Dolphins have interest in signing Johnson and Maitre to the practice squad.

The Dolphins want to re-sign Needham to their practice squad, and there’s a decent chance that will happen.

Needham appeared in 61 games and started 27 for the Dolphins through five seasons; he had 199 tackles, six interceptions and three sacks.

He missed a full calendar year after an October 2022 torn Achilles. He came back and appeared in 10 games last season but had only 71 defensive snaps.

After being signed as an undrafted free agent out of UTEP in 2019, Needham played 89, 60 and 64 percent of the Dolphins’ defensive snaps in his first three seasons. He had been competing for a job at cornerback and safety.

The Dolphins ultimately decided to keep Duck and rookie safety Patrick McMorris on the roster ahead of Needham.

The other cornerbacks on the 53, besides Duck: Jalen Ramsey, Kendall Fuller, Kader Kohou, Ethan Bonner and special teams ace Siran Neal.

Meanwhile, Smith was placed on injured reserve with a leg injury sustained in the second preseason game. When healthy, he likely will compete with Bonner for a top-four cornerback job.

▪ Safety: The Dolphins released undrafted rookies Mark Perry (TCU) and Jordan Colbert (Rhode Island) but have shown interest in signing both to the 16-man practice squad.

Miami kept five safeties: Jevon Holland, Jordan Poyer, Marcus Maye, Elijah Campbell and rookie McMorris.

▪ Defensive tackle: In a mild surprise, Miami cut Neville Gallimore, who had been competing for a top backup job.

Gallimore had 90 tackles in 52 games (and 14 starts) for Dallas through the past four seasons and was signed by Miami early in free agency. Gallimore, who had a history with defensive line coach Austin Clark, will leave with $1.79 million; his one-year contract was entirely guaranteed.

The Dolphins also released defensive tackles Jonathan Harris, Isaiah Mack, Robert Cooper and Leonard Payne. Mack had some good moments in training camp.

Miami’s initial 53-man roster includes five defensive tackles: Calais Campbell, Zach Sieler, injured Benito Jones, Da’Shawn Hand and Brandon Pili.

▪ Inside linebacker: The Dolphins released Curtis Bolton, who was rated by Pro Football Focus as the team’s top defensive player in preseason, and David Anenih.

Five inside linebackers made the initial 53: Jordyn Brooks, David Long Jr., Duke Riley, Anthony Walker and Channing Tindall.

▪ Outside linebacker: The Dolphins released Dequan Jackson and placed Wyatt Ray on season-ending injured reserve. Both were both signed last week.

Five outside linebackers made the initial 53: Jaelan Phillips, Emmanuel Ogbah, Quinton Bell and rookies Chop Robinson and Mo Kamara.

Bradley Chubb and Cam Goode will begin the season on the reserve/PUP list and will miss the at least the first four games.

▪ Running back: The Dolphins released Chris Brooks, who made the team as an undrafted rookie last season but has dealt with multiple injuries, including a concussion that ended his preseason after a 59-yard run against Washington. He also seemed to sustain some kind of upper-body injury on that long run.

He had 19 carries for 106 yards last season, including a 52-yard run.

Brooks would be an option for Miami’s practice squad when he’s healthy.

Two other running backs were released: Anthony McFarland and Zander Horvath, who were both signed last week.

▪ Offensive line: The Dolphins kept UTEP undrafted rookie center Andrew Meyer but released Ohio State undrafted rookie guard Matthew Jones, guard Chasen Hines, International Pathway prospect Bayron Matos and second-year tackle Ryan Hayes.

Jones did not allow a sack or pressure in 73 preseason pass-blocking snaps.

The Dolphins kept 10 offensive lineman. Isaiah Wynn will begin the season on the reserve/PUP list, meaning he will miss at least four games.

▪ Tight end: The Dolphins released promising undrafted rookie tight end Hayden Rucci but plan to sign him to the practice squad, according to a source.

Rucci impressed the team with his toughness and physicality as a blocker. He also caught five passes for 44 yards, including a 20-yard TD reception, in the preseason finale.

Miami kept four tight ends: Durham Smythe, Jonnu Smith, Julian Hill and Tanner Conner.

▪ Wide receiver: Miami kept only four — Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Braxton Berrios and Malik Washington.

Six were released: Ezukanma, Braylon Sanders, FAU undrafted rookie Je’Quan Burton, Mike Harley Jr. (the Miami Hurricanes’ all-time career leader in receptions), Kyric McGowan and Jadon Janke.

Ezukanma was a surprise, because he had played well for a two-week stretch in preseason before sustaining a lower-body injury late last week. The 2022 fourth-round pick finished his Dolphins career with one reception for 3 yards and having played just 39 offensive snaps in two seasons. He missed most of last season with a neck injury.

The Dolphins have expressed interest in potentially signing Ezukanma to their practice squad if he goes unclaimed on waivers, according to a source.

Sanders sustained a groin injury in the past two weeks, torpedoing his roster chances.

Cracraft, who sustained a shoulder injury while catching a touchdown in the second preseason game, is eligible to return after four games.

▪ Quarterback: Mike White was released Sunday, leaving Tua Tagovailoa and Skylar Thompson on the initial 53-man roster. The Dolphins expect to add a third quarterback on the 53-man roster or practice squad, with White among those under consideration.