MIAMI -- Fullback Cory Schlesinger and wide receiver Az-Zahir Hakim were among 22 players cut Saturday by the Miami Dolphins, who had 13 rookies make their 53-man roster.
Schlesinger had been expected to start after being acquired as a free agent in the offseason. But coach Cam Cameron praised 270-pound rookie Reagan Mauia throughout training camp and said he might even be used as a tailback.
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Mauia appears to be the Week 1 starter after the Dolphins terminated Schlesinger's contract.
Hakim, a veteran who had no receptions in the Dolphins' four exhibition games, also had his contract terminated.
Also waived by Miami were: tight ends Courtney Anderson, Aaron Halterman and Tim Massaquoi; wide receiver Michael Malone; defensive ends Mkristo Bruce and Jorge Cordova; fullback Kyle Eckel; guards Tala Esera, Marquay Love and Stephen Parker; quarterback Gibran Hamdan; safety Tuff Harris; cornerbacks Geoff Pope and Derrick Johnson; defensive tackle Brian Soi; and offensive tackle Julius Wilson.
Linebackers Jim Maxwell and Robert McCune, receiver P.K. Sam and guard Dan Stevenson were also waived-injured.
"We feel good about the guys on our team, and I think we have a good mix of veteran and young players on our roster," general manager Randy Mueller said.
Miami opens the season Sept. 9 at Washington.
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