Veteran TE Back in Mix with Designation for the Miami Dolphins

As the Miami Dolphins fine-tune their offense for a critical Week 18 matchup against the Buffalo Bills and a potential playoff run, the team announced a key roster move on Friday: veteran tight end C.J. Uzomah has been activated from the practice squad to the active roster. The designation marks Uzomah’s return to the Dolphins’ game-day lineup after he was signed to the practice squad in early December, following a short stint with the New York Jets earlier this season. Uzomah, a 31-year-old with nine NFL seasons under his belt, brings a combination of blocking expertise and pass-catching reliability that addresses a lingering need in Miami’s tight end room—especially with Durham Smythe still recovering from a knee sprain. Veteran TE Back in Mix with Designation for the Miami Dolphins explores Uzomah’s history with the Dolphins, the rationale behind his activation, how he fits into Miami’s offensive scheme, and what his return means for the team’s stretch-run success.

Veteran TE Back in Mix with Designation for the Miami Dolphins starts with Uzomah’s prior connection to the Dolphins and his NFL journey. Though Uzomah is best known for his four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals (where he earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2021), he spent part of the 2023 offseason with the Dolphins before signing with the Jets. During his brief time in Miami’s 2023 training camp, he impressed coaches with his football IQ and ability to adapt to new schemes—traits that led the Dolphins to bring him back this December when tight end depth became a concern. Over his career, Uzomah has recorded 211 receptions for 2,237 yards and 20 touchdowns, with his most productive season coming in 2021 (49 catches, 493 yards, 5 touchdowns) when he helped the Bengals reach Super Bowl LVI. His experience in high-pressure games and his versatility (he’s equally effective as a blocker and receiver) make him a valuable addition. “C.J. is a player we know well—he fits our culture and our scheme,” said Dolphins general manager Chris Grier. “When we had the chance to bring him back, we jumped at it. He’s a veteran who can step in immediately, and that’s exactly what we need right now with Durham still working his way back.”

To understand how Veteran TE Back in Mix with Designation for the Miami Dolphins enhances the team’s offense, look at Miami’s current tight end rotation and what Uzomah adds. The Dolphins have relied on rookie Elijah Higgins and journeyman Adam Shaheen in Smythe’s absence; while both have performed admirably, they lack Uzomah’s combination of size (6-foot-6, 260 pounds) and experience. Miami’s offense ranks 7th in the NFL in points per game (27.1), but it has struggled at times in short-yardage and red-zone situations—areas where Uzomah excels. As a blocker, he’s a physical presence in the run game, helping open lanes for Raheem Mostert and Royce Johnson; as a receiver, he’s a reliable target in the middle of the field, especially on third downs and near the end zone. Offensive coordinator Frank Smith noted that Uzomah will be integrated into Miami’s two-tight end sets, which the team has used sparingly in recent weeks due to depth issues. “C.J. gives us the ability to go back to some of the two-TE looks we used earlier in the season,” Smith said. “He can block for our runners, run routes out of the slot, or line up as an in-line tight end—whatever we need. That flexibility makes our offense harder to defend, especially against a team like Buffalo that prides itself on stopping the run and covering short routes.”

Veteran TE Back in Mix with Designation for the Miami Dolphins also addresses a critical need for the Dolphins: leadership in the tight end room. With Smythe sidelined, Higgins (a rookie) and Shaheen (a journeyman with six teams in seven years) have lacked a steady veteran voice to guide them. Uzomah, who has been a team captain in both Cincinnati and New York, brings that leadership—both on the field and in the meeting room. He’s already spent time working with Higgins on route-running nuances and helping Shaheen refine his blocking technique during practice this week. For the Miami Dolphins, this off-field impact is just as important as Uzomah’s on-field production, especially as the team heads into a high-stakes game against the Bills. “Leadership matters, especially this time of year,” said head coach Mike McDaniel. “C.J. has been in big games, he knows what it takes to win, and he’s passing that knowledge on to our younger tight ends. That’s the kind of veteran presence that can turn a good team into a great one. Having him in the room makes everyone around him better.” Uzomah’s leadership also extends to the huddle, where he can help quarterback Tua Tagovailoa read defenses and adjust plays on the fly—something Tagovailoa has noted as a key benefit.

Another layer of Veteran TE Back in Mix with Designation for the Miami Dolphins is the timing of Uzomah’s activation, which comes just days before the Dolphins face the Bills—a team that has historically struggled to defend versatile tight ends. Buffalo’s defense ranks 15th in the NFL in yards allowed to tight ends (932), and it gave up 89 yards and a touchdown to Kansas City’s Travis Kelce earlier this season. Uzomah’s ability to move between positions and create mismatches could exploit that weakness. Tagovailoa, who has already built chemistry with Uzomah during practice, is looking forward to using him against the Bills. “C.J. is a guy you can trust,” Tagovailoa said. “He knows where to be, he catches the ball consistently, and he’s a smart player. Against Buffalo, having another reliable target in the middle of the field will help us move the chains and put points on the board. I’m excited to play with him again.” For the Miami Dolphins, this strategic timing isn’t a coincidence—it’s part of the team’s plan to maximize every advantage against a divisional rival that has beaten them once already this season. “We look at every opponent’s weaknesses, and we build our game plan around exploiting them,” McDaniel said. “C.J. gives us a way to attack Buffalo’s defense in a way we couldn’t before. That’s why we brought him back, and that’s why we’re activating him now.”

The final dimension of Veteran TE Back in Mix with Designation for the Miami Dolphins is the long-term flexibility the move provides, even beyond the 2024 season. Uzomah is signed to a one-year, non-guaranteed deal, which means the Dolphins can evaluate his performance over the next few weeks and decide whether to re-sign him for 2025. With Smythe set to become a free agent this offseason, Uzomah could potentially fill a long-term role if he performs well. For Uzomah, this activation is a chance to prove he still has value as a contributing NFL player—and to potentially find a permanent home with a team he already knows. “I love Miami—this organization, the coaches, the players, the fans,” Uzomah said after his first practice as an active roster member. “When I got the call to come back, I didn’t hesitate. I want to help this team win, whether that’s blocking in the run game, catching passes in the red zone, or leading the younger guys. Whatever they need, I’m here. This is a great opportunity, and I’m not going to waste it.” As the Dolphins prepare to face the Bills in a game that could decide the AFC East title, the return of C.J. Uzomah has strengthened their offense, added leadership, and given them a new weapon to rely on. For the Miami Dolphins, every roster move is a step toward their goal of winning a Super Bowl—and Uzomah’s activation is a clear sign that they’re leaving no stone unturned in that pursuit. “We’re building something special here,” Grier said. “Adding players like C.J. helps us keep that momentum going. Now let’s go out there and get the win.”