Pats Pulpit
Familiar faces will meet again in the AFC East opener.
Between the active rosters, practice squads and reserve lists, eight members of the Miami Dolphins were once New England Patriots. And another connection resides on the other side.
Here’s a glance through the list of names from past and present ahead of Sunday’s 1 p.m. ET kickoff at Hard Rock Stadium.
JaMycal Hasty, running back — The Dolphins signed the 28-year-old Hasty to the practice squad shortly after its formation in August. He had been released by the Patriots during the 53-man roster cutdown after returning to Foxborough amid training camp. The veteran running back first arrived there as a waiver claim in 2023. And last campaign, Hasty appeared in 15 games for the Patriots, logging 20 carries for 69 yards, 10 catches for 59 yards and one touchdown. The former Baylor Bear also averaged 23.8 yards per kickoff return. Undrafted in 2020, he made previous stops with the San Francisco 49ers and Jacksonville Jaguars and stands 56 games into his career.
Yodny Cajuste, offensive tackle — The 29-year-old Cajuste was placed on Miami’s injured reserve in the days after signing in August. Originally entering the league in the third round of the 2019 NFL draft, he spent four seasons in New England’s fold and endured stints on the IR and non-football injury lists. Cajuste made 17 appearances over that span, starting a handful as a swing tackle, and staying in for 278 snaps on offense and 55 snaps on special teams. After being waived out of his restricted tender in 2023, the ex-West Virginia bookend moved on to the New York Giants and New York Jets.
Cole Strange, guard — Strange stands on his third offensive line since the preseason finale. After being waived by the organization that drafted him, the 27-year-old guard made his way to the practice squad of the Cleveland Browns. And this week, he agreed to return to the AFC East for a 53-man roster spot. Strange, taken No. 29 overall back in 2022, appeared in 30 games while with the Patriots. A torn patellar tendon forced the former Chattanooga standout to miss 52 weeks of football. He started 27 games at left guard and an additional pair at center before having his fifth-year option declined in the spring.
Matthew Judon, linebacker — A third-round draft pick headed to Gillette Stadium as a four-time Pro Bowler headed elsewhere in 2024. Judon appeared in 38 games, including 33 starts, while off the edges for the Patriots. In red sleeves, he amassed 133 tackles, 32 sacks and a pair of forced fumbles and fumble recoveries after signing as a free agent in 2021. The Grand Valley State product entered the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens in at pick No. 146 overall in 2016. After notching 5.5 sacks and returning an interception for a touchdown with the Atlanta Falcons last campaign, Judon signed a one-year deal in Miami Gardens midway through August. He logged a pair...
