The former second-round pick played out his rookie contract with the Chiefs before signing a one-year deal with the Saints. He appeared in 15 games with the Saints and was credited with eight starts, though he only earned a snap share over 50 percent twice. Gay Jr. totaled two sacks and three pass breakups in New Orleans. He will be a depth option with the Dolphins.

The fact that a linebacker isn’t playing through a hand injury suggests it’s a break. Gay was playing a modest 20-30 weekly snaps heading into Week 4, so it’s more of a depth issue than anything else.

Another $2 million is available through incentives. A four-year starter since arriving in Kansas City via the second round of the 2020 draft, Gay has been a perfectly-average two-down ‘backer. He’s neither an elite run-stopper nor a horrid pass-rusher. He’s going from one elite defensive mind in Steve Spagnuolo to another in Dennis Allen.

NFL Network’s James Palmer reported shortly before inactives were announced that Gay was “trending toward not being able to go” after his neck injury reportedly flared up in the morning. Despite his best efforts to get on the field, the Chiefs will be without Gay, who is one of several Chiefs players missing the AFC title game on Sunday. In addition to Gay, the Chiefs also ruled out WR Kadarius Toney, CB Keith Taylor, CB Ekow Boye-Doe, DE BJ Thompson, OG Joe Thuney, and DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah.