MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Dolphins released veteran defensive tackle and former FIU Panther Teair Tart on Tuesday.
Tart was an April signing who was expected to compete in training camp for a roster spot and playing time at nose tackle, but he was too inconsistent in camp and had missed recent practices and Friday night’s preseason opener against the Atlanta Falcons.
Tart has played 47 NFL games with 36 starts in his career, mostly in Tennessee. He was cut from the Titans in the 2023 season and picked up by the Houston Texans to wrap up his season. He has recorded 79 tackles (49 solo), 2 1/2 sacks, one interception, seven passes defensed and one fumble recovery.
Tart was behind Benito Jones in the nose tackle competition early in camp. He also appeared to be surpassed by Brandon Pili, who made the team as an undrafted rookie last year, in recent days.
“I think it’s a big opportunity,” Pili said after Tuesday’s practice. “I think it was a big opportunity when I first came in, starting this year, as well. It was an open room. But I think now it’s a little more of an opportunity that I could really take advantage of. I’m excited.”
Pili started Friday’s preseason opener and had a tackle for loss.
“The game moves fast,” he said of getting acclimated to the game setting again. “You just got to adjust and get used to the pace of the game again, but taking a lot of snaps in the league, it takes a toll on your body. That’s something that I haven’t really experienced too much, but now that I’ve gone through it, I think I’ve gotten better.”
Elsewhere on the defensive line this offseason, Miami added Calais Campbell, Neville Gallimore and Jonathan Harris among additions to put around the unit’s top returner, Zach Sieler. The Dolphins also brought back Da’Shawn Hand, who often rotated in for snaps on last year’s defensive line.
Last week, defensive line coach Austin Clark noted Tart’s play had been a bit up and down in drills, although every now and again he would flash by shedding a block for a tackle for loss against a running back or pressure on a quarterback.
The Dolphins are now down to one former FIU player on the roster, tight end Jonnu Smith, who has impressed in recent camp sessions.
No corresponding move was announced by the team with the release of Tart.
Eichenberg back at center
Dolphins offensive lineman Liam Eichenberg, who is listed on the depth chart as the first-team right guard, has been back at center with Aaron Brewer injured.
“Honestly, it’s not a big deal,” Eichenberg said Tuesday. “I can play center. I can play guard. This is what the team needs, and I’m here to help the team win. Honestly, nothing’s really changed for me. I’m trying to get better.”
Eichenberg, who has played every offensive line position for Miami, started eight games at center in 2023 as Connor Williams’ backup. Now, he’s vying for a starting guard spot this season, but with the newly acquired center, Brewer, dealing with a hand injury, Eichenberg is needed back at last year’s post.
After Friday’s preseason win over the Falcons, coach Mike McDaniel said Brewer’s injury is week-to-week.
Eichenberg added Tuesday on Brewer, “He’ll be back soon.”
He said, in competing at right guard prior to Brewer’s ailment, his progress at right guard had gone well, but now his focus shifts to center.
McDaniel recently offered praise for Eichenberg’s work in training camp.
“Liam Eichenberg has developed so much in the past couple seasons with us and has done so by being a master of multiplicity,” McDaniel said last week. “He’s really found ways to not only contribute, produce but then also improve whatever position he’s playing.”
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa highlighted Tuesday that he and Eichenberg haven’t had botched snap exchanges in practice, as a duo that has done it together before.
Eichenberg also noted that the calls at center have gotten easier for him.
Robert Jones, who has been the top left guard for Miami in camp, wore the orange jersey at Tuesday drills as the Monday practice player of the day.
