Miami Dolphins' Cuts: Allen Barbre to Injured Reserve; Tyler Donahue Waived

Entering the day with 82 players on the active roster, the Miami Dolphins have made two roster moves to get down to the NFL's mandated cut down to 80 players by 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Veteran offensive lineman Allen Barbre was placed on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury, while undrafted rookie guard Tyler Donahue, who was just signed on Aug. 21 after initially spending time with the Rams this summer, was placed on waivers.

The Dolphins conclude their preseason schedule Thursday when they host the Dallas Cowboys. Two days after that, they will have to make their big decisions by cutting down to 53 players by 6 p.m. Saturday.

Analysis

It's no surprise to see either of these guys, nor is it surprising that both of Tuesday's cuts are offensive lineman. Even after the departures of Barbre and Donahue, the Dolphins have 14 offensive linemen under contract competing for what will only be eight or nine spots.

Barbre had primarily been working at left tackle behind Lydon Murtha in Jake Long's absence, although he had missed time due to injury recently and didn't play in last Saturday's game against Tampa Bay.

Signed to a two-year deal just before the end of the 2010 season, Barbre's versatility and experience (28 games, seven starts in four seasons) made him a potential backup candidate.

However, he has largely been a disappointment since the Packers drafted him in the fourth round in 2007 and was always a long shot to stick around in Miami.

Depending on how serious his injury is, Barbre could remain on IR all season before becoming a free agent in 2012. If the injury is minor, the team could release him with an injury settlement shortly, allowing him to sign elsewhere.

Meanwhile, Donahue makes it just nine days on the Dolphins' roster, which should come as no surprise given his limited physical tools and ability. He was a solid starting tackle in college at Bowling Green, but he projects at guard in the NFL and even there will have a tough time ever making it at the professional level.

Considering Donahue's lack of upside and the fact that he didn't even survive to the final round of cuts on Sept. 3, you can pretty much write him off as a practice squad candidate as well.

Barbre's departure means rookie D. J. Jones will remain a backup left tackle for the time being, although he probably won't make the final roster.

Donahue leaving likely means Ray Feinga will work as the second-team right guard behind mega-disappointment John Jerry, with Matt Kopa and Garrett Chisolm (activated from the non-football injury list Monday) backing up left guard.

As always, check out the updated projected depth chart reflecting these transactions here.

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Chris J. Nelson majored in journalism at Georgia State University and currently works for Turner Sports in Atlanta. He operates his own Miami Dolphins website, The Miami Dolphins Spotlight, and he can be followed on Twitter here.