We’re back for open Miami Dolphins OTA No. 2, and the day was far more interesting than Miami Dolphins OTA No. 1.
Why? Starting quarterback Tua Tagvailoa was on the field after missing last Tuesday’s practice to attend Nick Saban’s golf tournament.
Miami Dolphins Practice Report: May 28
Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel provided the latest Tagovailoa update and spoke at length about why he thinks Tua can take another leap in Year 3 of McDaniel’s system (we’ll have more on that later Tuesday).
Unfortunately, Tagovailoa, in limited action, threw to a bunch of backups Tuesday.
The Dolphins have yet to see the expected starting WR trio of Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and Odell Beckham Jr. on the field at the same time, which McDaniel seemed to suggest wasn’t a surprise. All three were absent from practice Tuesday.
“I know what’s coming,” McDaniel said of players missing spring workouts. “As long as I know what’s coming, I can plan for the opportunity.”
He added, “This is all voluntary, but there’s ways to get better in a team environment each and every day.”
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Other Dolphins starters who either couldn’t or elected not to practice Tuesday included: Running back De’Von Achane; tight end Jonnu Smith; interior linemen Terron Armstead and Aaron Brewer (who was working with the rehab team to the side); linebackers Bradley Chubb (rehab), David Long, Jaelan Phillips (rehab), and Shaq Barrett; and cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey, Kendall Fuller, and Kader Kohou.
Running back Raheem Mostert and linebacker Chop Robinson were back on the field after not working the week before.
More Miami Dolphins Practice Observations
With the Dolphins’ top four targets out, the passing attack was clunky. The backups who got a promotion Tuesday struggled to create separation in 11-on-11s.
(Tagovailoa got no team reps Tuesday, but did have at least three touchdown passes in 7-on-7s, including deep strikes to Erik Ezukanma and Tahj Washington.)
The flip side of that coin? The defense had a very good day, flying around and blowing plays. And the trash talk? It was in midseason form.
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Among the defensive highlights:
- Nik Needham was on top of Jeff Wilson basically the second he took a handoff.
- Chop Robinson got penetration and doomed an outside zone run.
- Grayson Murphy deflected a screen pass, leading to an incompletion.
Jevon Holland, who wore the orange jersey and the in-practice aux cord for having the team’s best practice last Thursday, was also very active.
Rookie Malik Washington had a ragged day, with at least one drop and another failed pass play due to a less-than-ideal route.