Dolphins' Ellerbe lands on IR

Sep 8, 2014 - 8:46 PM Davie, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - Miami Dolphins linebacker Dannell Ellerbe will miss the remainder of the season after sustaining a serious hip injury in Sunday's opener against the New England Patriots.

Ellerbe played just 18 snaps in the Dolphins' 33-20 win over the Patriots and was placed on injured reserve Monday, with the team signing journeyman linebacker Kelvin Sheppard in a corresponding move.

Signed to a five-year, $35 million free-agent contract by Miami in March of 2013, Ellerbe started 15 games at middle linebacker last season and finished with 101 tackles, two interceptions and one sack. The former Baltimore Raven was shifted to the weakside during the offseason.

Sheppard, a third-round pick of Buffalo in 2011, made 24 starts in two seasons with the Bills and opened seven games with Indianapolis in 2013. The 26-year- old had been waived by the Colts during this year's final roster cuts.

He joins a Miami linebacking corps that is currently dealing with several key injuries. Veteran Philip Wheeler was inactive for Sunday's game due to a thumb injury, while starting middle linebacker Koa Misi also exited the opener after spraining an ankle.