Report: Dolphins prepared to use Cameron Wake sparingly in 2016

The Miami Dolphins aren't counting on having defensive end Cameron Wake back at full strength any time soon.

The Dolphins are taking a cautious approach with Wake as he works his way back from a torn Achilles, and are prepared to use him sparingly during training camp and at the start of the regular season, according to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald.

Wake typically plays 40-50 snaps per game, but Salguero reports that he will no longer be asked to be a full-time player, even once he's fully recovered.

In the meantime, recently-signed defensive end Andre Branch is considered the starter.

"A very prominent role," Branch told reporters Friday during a conference call. "Basically, (I'll) be opposite of Mario Williams and then on rush downs, when Cam Wake gets back, it will be me, Cam (Wake), (Ndamukong) Suh, and Mario (Williams). Those guys have been playing at a high level their whole career and I'm ready to learn from those guys."

Wake is set to cost the Dolphins $9.8 million against salary cap, which is likely more than they would prefer to allocate to a 34-year-old player coming off a torn Achilles, especially one they're preparing to use sparingly. The Dolphins tried to restructure Wake's contract last month at the NFL Scouting Combine, but talks reportedly "went nowhere."