Ferris State's most prominent NFL alumni story this week isn't a highlight — it's a health scare.
Zach Sieler, the Dolphins' veteran defensive tackle, has been sidelined from practice with an undisclosed injury, with Miami head coach Jeff Hafley labeling him "week-to-week." The designation, announced during the heart of the preseason grind, puts a shadow over one of the more dependable pieces of Miami's defensive front heading into 2026.
Sieler has carved out a legitimate starting role in the NFL from Ferris State, a Division II program in Big Rapids, Michigan — a path that makes him one of the more compelling underdog stories in the league. Losing him for any stretch of the regular season, even if this setback ultimately proves minor, is the kind of thing that tends to snowball for teams banking on continuity up front.
The Dolphins have not disclosed the nature of the injury, which only amplifies the uncertainty. "Week-to-week" is NFL-speak for "we don't know yet," and with the regular season approaching, the clock is already ticking on Miami's ability to get its defensive line cohesion sorted before games start mattering.
No other Ferris State alumni made notable news across the league during this period. Caleb Murphy (Giants, LB), Shon Stephens (Eagles, CB), Malik Taylor (Lions, WR), and Tavierre Thomas (Vikings, FS) are all active on NFL rosters this preseason, but none generated significant headlines in the August 9–15 window.
For Ferris State fans tracking their alumni across the league, the Sieler situation is the one to watch. If he clears the injury designation quickly, it's a minor preseason blip. If it lingers, Miami's defensive line — and one of the most notable success stories from Big Rapids — faces a real early-season test.
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