by Andy Kent

Filed under: Dolphins, AFC East, NFL Injuries

DAVIE, Fla. — Weeks of speculation over just how serious Nate Garner’s foot injury was ended Tuesday afternoon when the Miami Dolphins placed the guard/tackle on injured reserve, putting an end to his 2010 season.

MIami also placed third-year defensive end Philip Merling on the reserve/non-football Injury list. Merling tore his Achilles tendon during one of his own offseason workouts away from the team’s practice facility.

These two moves open up two more roster sports on Miami’s final 53-man roster and guard Cory Procter along with third-year defensive end Lionel Dotson look to be the two leaders in the clubhouse. The Dolphins are down to 72 players on the roster, three under the league minimum of 75 that had to be met today. The final 53-man roster has to be set by 4 p.m. on Saturday.