Miami Dolphins helmet (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

The Miami Dolphins have released former starting running back Salvon Ahmed as they reach closer to the final 53-man roster limit.

On Monday afternoon, the Dolphins announced that they released Salvon Ahmed and waived linebacker Ezekiel Vandenburgh. The team has also signed two more running backs in Anthony McFarland Jr. and Zander Horvath.

The 25-year-old Ahmed joined the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2020. He was their starting running back for four games and finished the year with 319 rushing yards, three rushing scores and 12 receptions for 117 yards.

Ahmed turned heads with a career game against the New England Patriots in Week 15, racking up 122 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries. Miami would finish 10-6 that year, narrowly missing out on the postseason.

Salvon Ahmed fell down the Miami depth chart in 2021 behind Myles Gaskin and veteran Duke Johnson. He had just 149 rushing yards and no touchdowns on 54 total carries.

Raheem Mostert took over as Miami’s No. 1 running back in the 2022 season, with Jeff Wilson and Chase Edmonds moving ahead of Salvon Ahmed on the depth chart. Over his final two years in Miami, Ahmed compiled only 125 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Salvon Ahmed Needed A Fresh Start

Though Ahmed was well-liked by the Dolphins organization and fans, there was simply no room for him to reach his ceiling here. Miami already has football’s best RB tandem in Mostert and 2023 rookie sensation De’Von Achane, with the ultra-quick Wilson and rookie Jaylen Wright backing them up.

Quality running backs aren’t hard to find in today’s NFL, and Ahmed just might emerge as a reliable RB1 or RB2 with his next team. Miami never gave him the opportunity to flourish as a starting running back, so he may look back on this release as the best thing that happened in his career.