In a tough break for a veteran special teams player, former Michigan State long snapper Taybor Pepper has been released by the Miami Dolphins before ever stepping on the field for the team this season. The Dolphins announced the roster move on Monday, leaving the 30-year-old back on the free agent market.

Pepper signed with Miami in mid-March, hoping to add stability to their snapping game. Instead, he's now searching for his next opportunity—a familiar position for a player who has already carved out an impressive seven-year NFL career.

The Saline, Michigan native first entered the league in 2018 with the Green Bay Packers and has since suited up for 100 regular season games across three teams: Green Bay, Miami, and the San Francisco 49ers. His most recent action came in 2024 with the 49ers, meaning he sat out the entire 2025 season before this latest signing and subsequent release.

Pepper's journey began at Michigan State, where he played for the Spartans from 2012 to 2015, honing the precision and reliability that made him a trusted long snapper at the professional level. While this setback is undoubtedly disappointing, his track record suggests he's more than capable of landing another roster spot before the season kicks off.

For now, Pepper joins a list of recent NFL cuts that also includes cornerbacks Isaiah Johnson and Jason Maitre, tight end Zack Kuntz, edge rusher Derrick McLendon, inside linebacker K.C. Ossai, and punter Seth Vernon—all released by Miami as the team continues to trim its roster ahead of training camp.