The Dolphins didn’t want to cut a player who “earned the right” to be on the roster to make room for Shaq Barrett.

Two-time Super Bowl champion and former All-Pro linebacker Shaq Barrett has applied for reinstatement to play immediately after he had previously announced his retirement from the NFL in July, according to ESPN.

Earlier this week, the agents for Shaq Barrett announced that the pass rusher had applied to be reinstated into the NFL. Four months after announcing his retirement in July, Barrett wanted to unretire and return to the league.

GREEN BAY, WI — The Miami Dolphins won't be activating pass rusher Shaq Barrett off the reserve/retired list, according to a league source. This means Barrett, who retired before the season, won't play this season.

The Dolphins have elected not to activate edge rusher Shaq Barrett from the reserve/retired list, the Sentinel has confirmed, meaning Barrett won’t be eligible to play this season. The story was first reported by NFL Network. Barrett, who surprisingly retired before training camp, recently expressed a desire to return to play.

Shaq Barrett signed with the Dolphins this offseason before shocking everyone by retiring just a few months later. The move meant he would be under contract with the team if he ever decided to

After the Dolphins lost their Week 13 matchup with the Packers, Mike McDaniel revealed why LB Shaq Barrett has yet to return from injury.

When Shaq Barrett retired in July, it appeared his playing days were over. That decision came not long after he had signed

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said this week that edge rusher Shaq Barrett's desire to return to active duty after retiring this summer took him by surprise and that the team would need to discuss the situation before making any dcisions about bringing the veteran back into the fold.

The Miami Dolphins have decided to not activate or release Shaq Barrett despite his desire to return to the NFL.