Dolphins Deny Report Ndamukong Suh Will Be Released After This Season

The Miami Dolphins issued a statement Sunday saying a report that stated they plan to release defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh after the season is "100 percent not true."

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald was provided the comment from team officials. Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com had reported the Dolphins do not have Suh as part of their plans beyond the 2017 season and were prepared to release him despite facing a considerable cap surge.

Suh's cap hit is $26 million for 2018, but the team also faces a charge of $22.2 million for releasing or trading him. The Dolphins could designate him as a post-June 1 cut, which would place some of the losses on their 2019 cap.

La Canfora's report came three days after Suh grabbed Baltimore Ravens quarterback Ryan Mallett in the throat in the Dolphins' 40-0 loss Thursday night. The two had exchanged words following a fourth-quarter play where Suh went offsides and hit Mallett, who took exception. Suh then grabbed his throat before being called for a personal foul.

“He came at me,” Suh told Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post. “Tried to attack me. And I’m protecting myself. Regret what? No, I’m never going to regret protecting myself."

Suh has a lengthy history of on-field incidents, many of which involve illegal hits or cheap shots to opposing players. Those moments have been fewer and farther in between than his time in Detroit, but Suh was called for two separate personal fouls Thursday and appeared noticeably agitated during the blowout.

The financial ramifications of moving on from Suh make it highly unlikely the Dolphins do so. In fact, the likelier scenario involves Miami and Suh reaching some sort of new contractual agreement that lowers his cap hit for 2018 and ties them together for additional seasons.

Moving on from someone with Suh's production level isn't a thing teams do when it lacks financial and football sense.