MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Jalen Ramsey missed all but the first two days of Miami Dolphins training camp in 2023 after suffering a knee injury that cost him half the season.
So perhaps Dolphins wide receivers are making up for lost time this summer because Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle have both cooked the seven-time Pro Bowler and future Hall of Famer for long touchdowns in the first seven days of camp.
Miami Dolphins’ Must-See Jaylen Waddle-Jalen Ramsey Matchup
Last week, Hill got far behind his star teammate for a touchdown on a vertical route after Ramsey got caught looking in the backfield.
That was impressive — but not as impressive as what Waddle did on Thursday. He got inside leverage on Ramsey on a third-down slant route, corralled the ball in stride, and turned on the jets for a 43-yard touchdown strike.
Now, this shouldn’t be taken as us dumping on Ramsey, who has made plenty of plays this camp, including a PBU vs. Hill in one-on-one coverage on Thursday.
But these last two weeks should give those watching a greater appreciation for just how good the Dolphins’ top two receivers have been.
MORE: Simulate the NFL Season With PFN’s Playoff Predictor
If they can do this against Ramsey, how does the rest of the league have a prayer this year if the Dolphins’ offensive line can give Tua Tagovailoa enough time?
Hill said trash talk between Ramsey and the Dolphins’ receivers “goes back and forth.”
“We got a real good team,” Hill added. “We’re very fortunate to have Ramsey on the other side. A very competitive guy, a guy who doesn’t shy away from anything, man. So, it’s fun. It’s a part of the game, man. You win some, you lose some.
“Fortunate for us, we’ve been on the winning side, so it’s been a lot of fun. And I’ve learned a lot playing with Ramsey, understanding different leverages, understanding different releases I can use against different guys with longer arms. The process has been fun.”
Probably more for Hill and Waddle than Ramsey, at least thus far.
Dolphins Injury Report
Running back Jeff Wilson Jr. not only avoided major injury after getting rolled up on during a live rep on Tuesday, he seemingly avoided injury altogether.
Wilson was back on the field for Thursday’s practice, and apparently to work without limitation.
That’s certainly welcome injury news for a Dolphins offense that is without three of its top eight wide receivers. Rookie Tahj Washington is out for the year, while Erik Ezukanma is out of practice with something so concerning that the Dolphins signed Willie Snead IV on Wednesday.
Of course, the biggest question at the position remains Odell Beckham Jr., who has yet to practice with the Dolphins due to an undisclosed injury that predates his time in Miami.
Dolphins wide receivers coach Wes Welker suggested that the Dolphins don’t need to get a ton out of Beckham in training camp, “with a guy like that, with the talent, and as smart as he is.”
“In L.A., he was in the same type of system. He’s been working his tail off trying to get back out there. When we see him, we see him” Welker added. “We’ll try to build from there. Making sure his body is right and mind is right.”
FREE: Subscribe to PFN’s NFL Newsletter
Meanwhile, Raheem Mostert and David Long Jr. also returned to practice on Thursday after getting Tuesday off.
Running back Salvon Ahmed, tight end Jonnu Smith, offensive lineman Ireland Brown, defensive lineman Neville Gallimore, linebacker Anthony Walker Jr., safety Jordan Poyer, and cornerback Cam Smith did not practice on Thursday.
