On a day when the Miami Dolphins defense held the Cleveland Browns to just three points, Tyrel Dodson deserves plenty of credit for his stellar performance.
It was the best showing of the season by the Dolphins defense, and it came at a great time, considering the absence of starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
Dodson was thrust into the starting lineup in the place of injured linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. Dodson seized the opportunity and led the way for the Miami defense with 15 tackles — the highest single-game tackle total by a Dolphins player this season — including a key third-and-goal stop that kept Browns running back Jerome Ford out of the end zone.
Dodson’s most impactful play was an interception of Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson in the second quarter.
Dodson with the pick!
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— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) December 29, 2024
Dodson was acquired by the Dolphins in November after he was surprisingly waived by the Seahawks. He has now started in two games for Miami and led the defense in tackles both times.
For the most part, he’s contributed as a rotational linebacker with snaps on special teams since arriving in South Florida. His 15-tackle performance should earn Dodson a larger role behind Walker and Jordyn Brooks, if not a full-time starting gig.
The Dolphins defense is riding some momentum and playing with confidence as they enter the final game of the season against their division rival New York Jets, with a playoff berth potentially on the line.
