Ryan Hayes, a seventh-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has been waived by the Miami Dolphins due to a foot injury, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston. Hayes was originally waived with an injury designation in late August, but after clearing waivers, he reverted to the Dolphins’ injured reserve (IR). This move initially indicated that he would be sidelined for the entire 2024 season. However, the Dolphins have now reached an injury settlement with Hayes, allowing him to potentially sign with another team once he has fully recovered.

The injury settlement means that while Hayes will no longer be with the Dolphins, he is free to seek opportunities with other teams as soon as he is medically cleared to return to the field. This is a common practice in the NFL when a player is injured but not expected to miss the entire season. Instead of keeping the player on injured reserve, where they would be ineligible to play for any team for the remainder of the year, the team and player agree to part ways with a settlement.

Once Hayes’ foot heals, he will be eligible to pursue a new contract and possibly return to the field later in the season.

Hayes spent the entire 2023 season on the Dolphins’ practice squad, gaining valuable experience while developing his skills. Although he didn’t make the active roster, practice squad stints often serve as a stepping stone for young players like Hayes to eventually earn a spot on the team or catch the eye of another organization.

The 6-foot-7, 305-pound offensive lineman came out of Michigan, where he had a solid college career. He was drafted by Miami with hopes that he could provide depth on the offensive line and develop into a future contributor. However, the injury has stalled his progress, forcing both the player and the team to move in different directions for now.

While the Dolphins will no longer have Hayes on their roster, the injury settlement allows the possibility of him returning to the NFL with another team once he is fully healed. For now, his focus will be on recovering from his foot injury and getting back in shape to attract interest from potential suitors in the league.