DAVIE, Fla., Oct. 14 (UPI) -- A report Thursday said veteran defensive end Chidi Ahanotu of the Miami Dolphins has gone AWOL.
Ahanotu spoke with team officials Monday seeking more playing time or to be traded or releaed, the Miami Herald said Thursday. But he was refused and did not show up for practice Wednesday. He was reportedly seen in Tampa Wednesday. The Dolphins would not comment, said the Hearld.
It is the latest of the many problems that have plagued the winless Dolphins this season. Among others are the unexpected retirement of workhorse running back Ricky Williams just before training camp in the summer and the trade of disgruntled All-Pro defensive end Adewale Ogunleye to the Chicago Bears.
The Dolphins later signed defensive end Bryan Robinson, who ironically was cut by the Bears on Sept. 5.
Robinson has been given the lion's share of playing time since the trade of Ogunleye, and Ahanotu was relegated to reserve status. The 12-year veteran appeared in all five of the Dolphins' games, but had only one tackle and one sack.
In 1997, as a Pro Bowl player for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Ahanotu made 10 sacks. In his career, he has 420 tackles, 43 sacks, and four forced fumbles.
