Dolphins activate CB Jalen Ramsey from injured reserve, rule out starting defender

It’s becoming increasingly likely cornerback Jalen Ramsey will make his Dolphins debut against the New England Patriots on Sunday.

Miami on Saturday activated Ramsey to the 53-man roster, exactly three months to the date of meniscus surgery that has sidelined him for the first seven games of the season.

Ramsey is listed as questionable to play and has been a limited participant in practice over the past two weeks. He received an uptick in reps this week and spent time with the starting defense.

“He’s only interested in one version of Jalen Ramsey,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said on Friday, “and that’s Jalen Ramsey and we know him to be that, because he’s not going to shortchange the team and go play a game where he knew going into it that, ‘Oh man, I might have to come out in the second quarter, or that I’m just going to be a non-convicted version of myself.’ Well that takes away what he does for his teammates when he’s going. When he’s going, everybody can feel — by how he plays — residual energy, so he’s not going to settle. He’s not a settler.”

To make room for Ramsey on the active roster, the Dolphins released cornerback Parry Nickerson.

Nickerson, who signed with the team in the middle of training camp, appeared in five games, spending time in the defense’s dime package and on special teams.

The Dolphins also ruled out starting safety Jevon Holland (concussion protocol) and wide receiver River Cracraft (shoulder).

Holland reported concussion symptoms on Monday and was progressing through the return-to-play stages but will miss his first game of the season. Brandon Jones is expected to start in place of Holland.

Cracraft was designated to return to practice this week after being placed on injured reserve.