Sperry signed to Dolphins' roster, as Fasano's hip a concern
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By Mike Berardino
Sun Sentinel
(MCT)
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — With a roster spot open and Anthony Fasano's hip injury a growing concern, the Miami Dolphins signed tight end Kory Sperry from the practice squad Saturday.
Sperry could serve as the third tight end for Sunday's home game against Tampa Bay or, if Fasano is inactive, Sperry could be Joey Haynos' backup.
Fasano, who has yet to miss a game since arriving via trade from Dallas before the 2008 season, is listed as questionable on the official injury report.
The Dolphins created an opening on their roster with Friday's decision to release rookie linebacker J.D. Folsom, a seventh-round pick from Weber State.
Sperry, who was in training camp with the San Diego Chargers, was signed to the Dolphins' practice squad Sept. 9. He gets the nod over fifth-round pick John Nalbone, the other tight end on the practice squad.
Nalbone spent much of the first half of the season on the 53-man roster and opted to re-sign with the Dolphins last month after being released and receiving interest from the Browns and Seahawks.
It's likely Sperry is deemed more useful on special teams than Nalbone. The Dolphins figure to be without core special-teamer Erik Walden, who is doubtful with a hamstring injury.
"Erik is a 'four core" guy, so we rely heavily on him," Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said Friday. "He's a physical guy out there, so that presence — you always hear me say 'big-bodied guys,' well, he's a big-body guy that plays like a big-body guy on those teams, so that would be important for us."
Walden, who is 6 feet 2 and 250 pounds, is particularly valuable as the left guard on the punt coverage team. The Buccaneers, under renowned special teams coach Rich Bisaccia, have blocked four kicks this season — two punts, a point-after and a field goal.
The Bucs also have sprung kickoff returns of 83 and 97 yards and recovered an onside kick.
"If Erik couldn't play, you have to have somebody in there that you can count on," Sparano said. "You're playing against a team this week that has some punt rushers that are pretty good."
Sperry, 6-5 and 238 pounds, played at Colorado State, where he was second-team all-Mountain West as a senior. Sperry, 24, is fourth on the school's career list with 20 touchdown receptions and seventh all-time with 141 receptions.
Also, Bucs receiver Antonio Bryant (knee) and defensive end Stylez G. White (shoulder) have been declared out, according to reports. Maurice Stovall and Tim Crowder are expected their start in their places, respectively.
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