Dolphins Sign Zane Gonzalez, Release Riley Patterson: Week 7 Fantasy Impact

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Miami Dolphins kicker change with Zane Gonzalez joining the practice squad after Riley Patterson's release — Original Football Nation USA illustration.

The Miami Dolphins officially signed veteran kicker Zane Gonzalez to the practice squad and released Riley Patterson on Tuesday, October 20. The club announced both moves after a workout that Reuters reported also included Justin Tucker.

The official transaction settles the roster question that was still pending earlier Tuesday. It does not automatically make Gonzalez Miami's Week 7 kicker. He still must be elevated from the practice squad or signed to the active roster before he can handle kicks against the New York Jets.

Why Miami moved on from Riley Patterson

Patterson made 7 of 9 field-goal attempts and 5 of 6 extra points in five games. His short-range work was clean — 4-for-4 from 20 to 29 yards and 2-for-2 from 30 to 39 — but he went 1-for-2 from 40 to 49 and 0-for-1 from 50-plus.

The most costly miss came late in Miami’s Week 5 loss to Cincinnati. Patterson missed an extra point with 45 seconds remaining, according to Reuters. For an 0-5 team entering a divisional road game, that combination of missed scoring chances and limited long-range success made the position an obvious spot to reassess.

What Zane Gonzalez brings

Gonzalez offers a longer recent track record. He made 19 of 22 field goals for Atlanta in 2025, an 86.4% rate, and converted 17 of 18 extra points. His season-long field goal was 56 yards. He also handled kickoffs, recording 12 touchbacks on 38 attempts.

Miami already knows him. The Dolphins signed Gonzalez in March and placed him on injured reserve in August. Tuesday's official move returns him to the practice squad after the club evaluated multiple kickers.

Tucker was part of the workout, Reuters reported, but Miami signed Gonzalez. That is the actionable point for fantasy players: the tryout did not make Tucker a Dolphins player, and he should not be added on the assumption that he won the job.

Week 7 impact against the Jets

Miami visits the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, October 25, at 1 p.m. ET. It is the Dolphins’ first division game of 2026, and the team badly needs to convert every scoring opportunity after an 0-5 start.

Miami's head coach is Jeff Hafley. Gonzalez's prior long range production is relevant to the evaluation, but the signing does not establish a change in Hafley's fourth down choices or guarantee improved kicking results. Gonzalez remains a practice squad player until an elevation or active roster transaction makes him eligible to kick.

Fantasy football advice

Drop Patterson in all fantasy formats. Once a kicker is released, there is no reason to carry him outside the deepest dynasty leagues, and even there he is only a watch-list name.

Treat Gonzalez as a speculative streamer, not an automatic start. He is now on Miami's practice squad, but he still must be elevated or signed to the active roster for Week 7. If that happens, his 2025 accuracy and demonstrated range beyond 50 yards put him on the radar for leagues that reward long field goals.

The downside is opportunity. Miami’s offense has not consistently created scoring chances, and kickers attached to volatile offenses carry a lower floor. Managers with a stable top-12 option should not force this move. Those streaming the position can consider Gonzalez only after his game-day role is official.

What to monitor next

First, watch whether Gonzalez joins the active roster or receives a standard practice squad elevation before Sunday. Second, verify the final game day roster. If he is inactive, the Dolphins will need another kicker.

The safest summary is now simple: Patterson has been released, Gonzalez is on Miami's practice squad, and his fantasy value begins only when the Dolphins confirm that he will kick against the Jets.

Sources checked October 20, 2026 at 2:34 p.m. Central. Miami's official roster announcement confirms Gonzalez is on the practice squad and Patterson has been released. Miami's official October 19 transcript identifies Jeff Hafley as head coach. Gonzalez still needs active roster placement or a standard elevation to kick in Week 7.