How the roster shakes out by position:
• Tight end: Sparano said he has no final diagnosis on the foot injury that Joey Haynos sustained Friday, but he will be out ``a little while.'' Haynos was on crutches, and it's difficult to see him on the 53-man roster if he misses extended time.
The Dolphins opened last season with four tight ends, but Miami probably will keep no more than three and might keep two -- Anthony Fasano and David Martin. Even with Haynos' injury, John Nalbone is far from a sure bet. Asked about Nalbone's play, Sparano didn't give an opinion but said he has played the most snaps of the tight ends going back to May practices.
• Receiver: Miami is likely to keep five, with Marlon Moore making a strong case for a job. The final two slots likely will go to Moore, Patrick Turner, Roberto Wallace or someone not on the roster.
• Quarterback: Chad Henne, Chad Pennington and Tyler Thigpen are the likely three, with probably no room for Pat White.
• Running back: The Dolphins opened last season with five, including fullback Lousaka Polite, and the same group is back. The Dolphins could survive with four running backs, but that seems unlikely -- remember, Patrick Cobbs and Lex Hilliard have strong value on special teams.
• Offensive line: The Dolphins opened last season with eight but might keep nine, especially if they keep Garner on the 53-man roster. Seven appear set. That leaves Cory Procter, Lydon Murtha, Andrew Gardner (who has struggled in the preseason), Andrew Hartline and Ray Feinga (out the past week with a finger injury) competing for perhaps one job.
• Defensive line: Miami kept seven to open last season. Besides starters Randy Starks, Jared Odrick and Kendall Langford, backups Tony McDaniel and Paul Soliai are in good position. Marques Douglas and Charles Grant are favorites to be the final two, with Lionel Dotson, Ryan Baker and Montavious Stanley competing.
• Linebacker: The Dolphins kept nine to start last season, including three inside linebackers. Micah Johnson has made a push to be the fourth inside linebacker -- ``he's done a pretty good job,'' Sparano said -- with Austin Spitler and J.D. Folsom also competing for that opening.
The Dolphins also gave outside linebacker Charlie Anderson some work at inside linebacker during Friday's game, which Sparano said makes him more valuable.
A fourth inside linebacker is probably needed because starter Channing Crowder remained sidelined Sunday with an undisclosed injury. Asked if Crowder will be ready for the opener against Buffalo, Sparano said, ``I don't know right now.''
Starting inside linebacker Karlos Dansby said he expects Crowder to play in the opener.
Wake, Misi, Anderson and Alama-Francis are positioned to be four of the outside linebackers, and Erik Walden has had some good moments, too. Quentin Moses remains sidelined with an undisclosed injury. Rookie Chris McCoy also is competing.
• Defensive back: The Dolphins kept nine to start last season, but if Allen is on the 53-man roster, they likely would need to keep 10, including six cornerbacks: Vontae Davis, Sean Smith, Benny Sapp, Jason Allen, Nolan Carroll and Will Allen.
Yeremiah Bell, Chris Clemons, Tyrone Culver and Reshad Jones figure to be the four safeties, with Jonathon Amaya potentially bound for the practice squad.
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