Pro Football weekly

O'Connell has signed with the Miami Dolphins, his fourth team since being drafted in the third round by the New England Patriots in 2008.||||||| O'Connell joined practice Friday as a replacement for Tom Brandstater, who was released. O'Connell played in two games as a rookie backup for the Patriots. He was with Detroit in 2009, and spent last season on injured reserve with the New York Jets after hurting his throwing shoulder. The Dolphins have three other quarterbacks - Chad Henne, Matt Moore and undrafted rookie Pat Devlin.

The Jets have waived backup quarterback Kevin O'Connell, likely clearing the way for Kellen Clemens to make the team.||||||| O'Connell was acquired last September from Detroit in a trade. He was competing with Clemens for the No. 3 job behind starter Mark Sanchez and backup Mark Brunell. Clemens outplayed O'Connell in the preseason, and coach Rex Ryan said Monday that Clemens had a "pretty strong chance" of making the opening day roster. The move Tuesday puts the Jets at 74 players - one below the limit teams need to reach by the end of the day.

The New York Jets have acquired O'Connell from the Detroit Lions, two people familiar with the deal told The Associated Press.||||||| O'Connell's arrival gives the Jets four quarterbacks on the roster with rookie starter Mark Sanchez, veteran Kellen Clemens and Erik Ainge. O'Connell, a third-round draft pick out of San Diego State last year, completed four of his six passes for 23 yards last season. He was expected to be Tom Brady's backup until he was cut last Monday.

The Detroit Lions have claimed former O'Connell, a former Patriots backup, off waivers.||||||| The move comes after third-stringer Drew Stanton tore knee cartilage, an injury that requires surgery. Lions coach Jim Schwartz said Wednesday coaches will set up a simple package of plays for O'Connell and "see how comfortable he can get in the next 24 hours.''