MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins‘ offense showed improvement Monday after four straight ugly practices and an even uglier preseason game.
But as we demonstrate in our training camp Day 13 Miami Dolphins practice report, the Dolphins still haven’t totally figured out how to operate without Jaylen Waddle.
Miami Dolphins Practice Report: Latest News From Training Camp
Tyreek Hill Dominates (Again)
Wide receiver Tyreek Hill has flipped a switch this week. He earned Miami’s orange practice jersey (and the aux cord) for being the Dolphins’ best player on Sunday.
And he very easily could be in the orange jersey again Wednesday if the Dolphins bring it to Houston.
Hill unofficially had five catches for 119 yards. He accounted for more than half of Tua Tagovailoa’s 166 passing yards Monday.
🏈 @Tua ➡️ @cheetah 🐆 pic.twitter.com/09TQDywhrt
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) August 14, 2023
But the biggest compliment you could give Hill is to point out what the first-team offense looked like with him off the field.
Hill left with apparent cramps late in a drive. After helping Miami move the length of the field, he was on the sideline for the possession’s final four snaps. The last three snaps were a one-yard completion to Erik Ezukanma and two errant Tagovailoa incompletions. An excellent drive ended without a touchdown.
Good for Hill, who has turned it on after a relatively quiet start to camp.
But it must be said that the Dolphins’ offense doesn’t have much else other than Hill now that Waddle is on the shelf with a midsection injury.
Hill and Waddle accounted for 52.7% of the Dolphins’ catches, 64.3% of their receiving yards, and half of their touchdowns last year.
And one could make the argument that the Dolphins’ collection of pass catchers is worse this year than last (is Robbie Chosen better than Mike Gesicki?).
Which brings us back to a truth that’s been evident for nearly 12 months. With Hill, Waddle, Tua, and Terron Armstead in the lineup, the Dolphins’ offense has the chance to be great.
But if one of those four is out, things get really dicey.
On Monday, Tagovailoa had just one completion to receivers not named Hill or Chosen.
Jaelan Phillips Stacking Days
Christian Wilkins’ mysterious absence from the Dolphins’ team drills hasn’t impacted their defense all that much.
Which tells you how many really good players are on that defense.
Jaelan Phillips was absolutely on fire Monday. Media members present credited him with two sacks, two tackles for loss, and at least one additional pressure.
“He always has it on,” Dolphins right tackle Austin Jackson said. “So that’s great. I love that. I love having guys like, you know, him and really all our edge rushers coming off the edge. They play fast and aggressive. Jaelan is a monster, an animal, but I love to show up and compete against all of them.”
More Dolphins News and Notes
- It was another messy practice on offense. There were two blown center-quarterback exchanges, a lateral from Tua that hit the ground, and a bad pass from Skylar Thompson intercepted by Noah Igbinoghene.
- Beyond Waddle, the following Dolphins did not practice Monday: Justin Bethel, Keion Crossen, Brandon Jones, Alec Ingold, and Ethan Bonner.
- Cornerback Kader Kohou didn’t take part in team drills, while offensive lineman Liam Eichenberg spent a good portion of practice on the exercise bike.
- Phillips wasn’t the only Dolphins star on defense Monday. Zach Sieler was a handful, with two sacks and two quarterback pressures, while Duke Riley added a sack and a tackle for loss.