Who is the Dolphins' kicker? Why Jason Sanders isn't playing for Miami

Billy Heyen

Who is the Dolphins' kicker? Why Jason Sanders isn't playing for Miami image

The Miami Dolphins haven't really had to think about the kicker position in a while.

They drafted Jason Sanders in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Since then, he has made 84.6% of his field goals, including a stretch of appearing in 116 conseuctive games.

In 2024, Sanders made 37-of-41 field goal attempts, a fantastic 90.2% rate.

But this season, Sanders hasn't played yet.

MORE: Why Monday Night Football has 2 games in Week 4 with overlap

Who is the Dolphins' kicker?

The Miami Dolphins' kicker so far in 2025 has been Riley Patterson.

He is 2-for-2 on field goals and 6-for-6 on extra points.

Patterson is 26 years old and played his college ball at Memphis.

Before this stint with the Dolphins, Patterson had kicked for the Lions, Jaguars, Browns, Falcons and Jets.

MORE: Why Darren Waller came out of retirement to play for the Dolphins

Why isn't Jason Sanders playing?

The Dolphins' regular kicker, Jason Sanders, is on Injured Reserve.

He was placed on IR before Week 1 with a hip injury, meaning he had to sit out at least through Week 4.

Monday night's Dolphins game is Week 4, so Sanders would be eligible to return beginning next week, if he's healthy.

But for now, Patterson holds the duties for at least this week.

MORE: Tua Tagovailoa brings a proud heritage to the NFL national stage

Billy Heyen

Billy Heyen is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He is a 2019 graduate of Syracuse University who has written about many sports and fantasy sports for The Sporting News. Sports reporting work has also appeared in a number of newspapers, including the Sandusky Register and Rochester Democrat & Chronicle