CHARLOTTE – Former Miami Hurricanes pass rusher Olivier Vernon will start his first NFL game tonight’s against the Carolina Panthers.
Vernon, whom the Dolphins selected in the third-round of the 2012 draft, will replace Cameron Wake during tonight’s 8 p.m. kickoff of the Dolphins’ second exhibition game.
Wake was involved in a car crash earlier this week and is sidelined by what the team labeled as a back injury.
Also sitting out tonight’s exhibition game are linebackers Kevin Burnett (back) and Karlos Dansby (knee). Both starters sat out all of this week’s practices resting their injuries.
Gary Guyton and Jason Trusnik will replace the Dolphins starting middle and weakside linebacker. Guyton, a former New England Patriots starter, was signed this offseason to provide depth.
Trusnik, one of the Dolphins’ top special teams players, led the team with six tackles and recovered a fumble during last week’s 20-7 exhibition loss to Tampa Bay.
Also sitting out tonight’s game are offensive guard Eric Steinbach (knee), defensive lineman Tony McDaniel (leg), receiver Brian Hartline (knee) and tailback Jonas Gray (knee).
Vernon won't be the only rookie starting his first game for Miami. Rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill, the Dolphins' first-round pick, will start tonight's game against Carolina.