DAVIE ? In an effort to shore up their depth inside, the Dolphins signed veteran defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson on Monday.

 

Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

 

Wilkinson, 33, was released by the Lions in June reportedly because of philosophical differences with the defensive system being installed by new coach Rod Marinelli. Shortly after, Wilkinson visited the Dolphins, and coach Nick Saban said he was interested in acquiring him.

 

Wilkinson attended practice Monday morning but didn't participate. At 6-foot-4, 335 pounds, he is expected to provide backup assistance to starting nose tackle Keith Traylor, who turns 37 next month and has dealt with chronic knee pain over the last few years.

 

Wilkinson, who began his career in Cincinnati after the Bengals drafted him with the overall No. 1 pick in 1994, played four years there, then five with the Redskins and the last three in Detroit.

 

In 185 career games he has 455 tackles and 54.5 sacks. He has missed seven games in 12 seasons. Last year Wilkinson had 26 tackles and three sacks.

 

The Dolphins were anticipating that second-year defensive tackle Manny Wright was ready to backup Traylor. However, he left the team last week citing depression, and the Dolphins have since placed him on the exempt/left squad list.

 

Rookie defensive tackle Frederick Evans has impressed Saban, but he lacks the experience of Wilkinson, who notched eight sacks in 1998 and '99 with the Redskins.

 

Source Sun-Sentinel: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-814...la-sports-front

good pickup for d-line depth...hopefully he is in or close to game shape

That picture is awesome.

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