MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Did Tua Tagovailoa continue his hold-in? Did Odell Beckham Jr. do anything but throw footballs into the net? Was it hot as Hell? We get into all that in our final Miami Dolphins minicamp practice report of 2024.
But first, a recap of a challenging morning for second-year cornerback Cam Smith.
Miami Dolphins Practice Report: June 5
No Kader Kohou or Nik Needham in practice this week has meant a big-time audition for Cam Smith, the 2023 second-round pick who barely played from scrimmage as a rookie.
Things didn’t go super well for him on Wednesday.
Tasked with covering Jaylen Waddle for much of the day, Smith gave up a deep completion from Tagovailoa in 7-on-7s and then was part of a major coverage bust with Patrick McMorris and Siran Neal that led to a Waddle big gainer from Mike White in team drills.
A caveat, of course: It’s very early. But Dolphins coaches can’t be thrilled that some of the issues that kept Smith in the doghouse emerged again.
“What I’m really pumped about is I know in Year 2 that the relationships that he’s holding within his position and the coaches and the way he’s attacking this offseason is that he’s not satisfied with that by any stretch, nor is the organization,” head coach Mike McDaniel said earlier in the offseason. “So I’m excited for the competition and the development because that’s really what I get into and what we’re all in this for.”
More Dolphins Practice Notes
- After a lights-out day Tuesday, Tagovailoa came back to Earth a little Wednesday, having a couple of overthrows and short-armed passes in 7-on-7s. He again sat out team drills in protest of his contract situation.
- The star of another toasty morning in South Florida? Pass rusher Shaq Barrett, who was all over the field. Barrett had a sack and at least two more pressures in 11-on-11s.
- Among the Dolphins players who didn’t practice Wednesday: Needham and Kohou; Tyreek Hill, Beckham, and fellow wide receivers River Cracraft, Je’Quan Burton, and Tahj Washington; running backs Jaylen Wright and Salvon Ahmed; tight end Jonnu Smith; offensive lineman Terron Armstead; and linebackers Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips, David Long Jr., and Cameron Goode.
- Hill and Beckham were spectators for the entire practice, but they did join the quarterbacks for their target practice session during special teams. Beckham found the net in the back corner of the end zone at least once.
- Defensive tackle Teair Tart was back on the field after not practicing Tuesday.
- The Dolphins canceled their final minicamp practice of 2024, which was scheduled for Thursday. They will return to the field for training camp in late July.