Armstead was present and in pads at practice. He participated in some individual work, but no team drills. He’s been on a maintenance program to start training camp and is ramping up for more involvement.

“Terron Armstead is such a valuable piece to the team, and as a competitor, just really proud of him to lean into knowing his body and communicating,” McDaniel said before Tuesday’s practice.

The Dolphins will operate with caution with the recently turned 33-year-old Armstead after he missed 11 games over his past two seasons in Miami. Before that, he missed 33 games over his previous six campaigns with the New Orleans Saints.

“It’s always tough, especially when you get the chatter, on the field you get he competition. I wanna jump in,” Armstead said. “But I’m trying to just stay the course of the program.”

During preseason last year, Armstead suffered a right ankle injury during a joint practice against the Houston Texans that cost him the first two weeks of the season before returning Week 4 and injuring a knee in Buffalo, which placed him on injured reserve for four weeks.

McDaniel gave credit to Armstead for doing his best to stay on the field for Miami before the risks began to outweigh the benefits.

“If there’s anything (Armstead) could’ve done, he’d have done it,” he said. “He played through until he realized he was gonna compromise his play.”

Miami would like to avoid unnecessary exposure to Armstead ahead of the 2024 season after he already contemplated retirement this offseason.

“He can’t stand not playing football all the time,” McDaniel said last week. “We’ll be battling him on that. There will be days of full participation, days of partial and days that make sense for a couple young guys to get (opportunities). It will be very, very fluid.

Before Tuesday Armstead had been seen working out on the side of practices and, at one session, did individual drills on the field but separate from the rest of the offensive line.

He elaborated on his maintenance program at this veteran stage of his career to NFL Network on Monday.

“The preparation has definitely evolved,” he said. “My routine has evolved. I understand the body more. I know what I need to be ready for Week 1. The program right now is more so just maintenance. We’re working the load. And I feel great.”

Armstead has not practiced since the end of last season. He missed voluntary organized team activities and was not a practice participant while present at mandatory minicamp.

“It’s just a part of the plan… I’m sure [team drills] will be coming soon,” he said. “I know what I need.”

Smith timeline unclear, but return not far off

As one return from injury begins with Armstead, the Dolphins must prepare for another. Defensive back Cam Smith missed his first full practice Monday after exiting early on Sunday with an undisclosed injury.

McDaniel said Tuesday that Smith should still be a participant in training camp and preseason games, but did not give an exact timeline for the second-year corner’s return.

“Based upon the severity of the injury and his previous injury history let’s say training camp and preseason games won’t be compromised,” McDaniel said.

Isaiah Wynn return uncertain

Also among the group of ailing Dolphins is offensive lineman Isaiah Wynn. He missed all offseason activities so far and has started training camp on physically-unable-to-perform list with a quadricep injury he suffered last October in Miami’s 31-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

“(Wynn)’s in the building every day. He’s doing well. His process is diligent. He’s been a steadfast fixture within the building and the team. He’ll keep progressing,” McDaniel said.

The seven-year veteran’s absence leaves a hole in the offensive line and opens up a position battle barring his return.

He was seen walking into the Baptist Health Training Complex with team personnel under his own power on Sunday.

Smith is entering his second year with the team after being drafted in the second round in 2023. He played sparingly as a rookie, taking just 20 defensive snaps for the team. He had showed progress in the first few days of his second year at camp. He got plenty of time on the field Sunday as projected starter Kendall Fuller took minimal reps.

It’s unclear what’s ailing Smith or how long it’ll keep him off the field.

Star receiver Tyreek Hill was back at camp after missing Sunday on what’s presumed to be a veteran’s day off. He participated in team drills Monday.

Missing from the early sessions of practice were running back Salvon Ahmed, receiver Erik Ezukanma, offensive tackle Ryan Hayes, defensive tackle Calais Campbell and defensive back Jevon Holland.

Fuller, tight end Jonnu Smith, linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. and offensive tackle Terron Armstead were all present but did not participate in practice.

Defensive lineman Zach Sieler wore the orange jersey Monday as the previous practice’s player of the day.

Long ramping up

Linebacker David Long continues to ramp up at training camp after returning to on-field activities Sunday. Long was reactivated from the PUP list after what’s thought to be a leg injury. He had compression gear on his left leg after Monday’s practice. When asked if the injury was to his knee, he said it was “something like that.”

The six-year veteran played three snaps during team drills at his first practice back on Sunday. He had six snaps at Monday’s practice and was seen working through mental reps on his own.

“I’m eager to get back out there,” he said. ” I only had three plays yesterday, and really I was kind of pissed. I was trying to get any type of work.”

Long was understanding about his slow return. He knows his physical playing style is something he’ll have to ease back into.

“We’re just taking my time, listening to the trainers,” he said. “We got a long season ahead. They know how I play. I’m very aggressive up on my body. … It’s not like I gotta go out there and show something I haven’t showed.”

Bonner improving

Defensive back Ethan Bonner spent most of his 2023-24 rookie campaign as a frequent flyer on special teams. Heading into Year Two, he’s making a name for himself and looking to carve out a more consistent role on defense. He’ll have to impress a staff featuring three new defensive back coaches.

“I just wanted to prove all around and be more physical,” he said.

Bonner noted that one of his biggest goals in the offseason was improving his abilities in press coverage and his overall technical skills as a corner.

Something that jumps out right away in Bonner’s game is his speed. He ran track at The Woodlands in Texas, runs a 4.39 40-yard dash and clocked a 22 mph top speed at last year’s camp. Still, Bonner is focused on becoming an all-around corner more than being the fastest. He’ll have ample opportunity to prove himself in camp, with Fuller limited and Smith out for the time being.

“As a corner if you’re touching 22 [mph], it’s probably because you got beat,” he said.

Dolphins receiver Jaylen Waddle also noted Bonner’s speed, but gave him props for his development as a corner.

“[Bonner] has had the craziest jump of any player from last year,” Waddle said. “Maybe it’s just a year under his belt … he’s playing with a lot of confidence out there. I tell EB every day, ‘Man, you’re getting us better.'”

So her parents, Nickholas Butler and Lashelle Oliver, signed the 9-year-old up for the Lauderhill Cheetahs track club. It didn’t go over well.

“She did not like track and field at all,” her father said. “We used to have days struggling just to get her to go to practice and even want to participate.”

Eleven years later, Butler will be competing for the US track and field team at the 2024 Paris Olympics, joined by fellow South Florida natives Kendall Ellis and Twanisha “Tee Tee” Terry.

Growing up in South Florida around so much strong competition helped shaped the three athletes into world-class track stars.

“In South Florida, it’s almost like a dog mentality,” Oliver said. “If you want this, you have to come get it… it’s a lot.”

Butler said his daughter began to change her mind about track when she broke the state record for the 400 meters as a freshman at Piper High School.

“I think that’s when she realized,” he said. “From that point forward, she took it a lot more serious.”

Butler transferred to Miami Northwestern when her coaches at Piper left for another school. Nickholas Butler said Miami Northwestern was the perfect fit for his daughter because of the exposure athletes get from competing at events like the Nike Outdoor Nationals in Eugene, Oregon.

Terry, who will be competing in the 100 meters, also attended attended Miami Northwestern, and both were coached by Carmen Jackson there.

“Olympic experience being on my team is not new to me,” Jackson said. “[Butler] would be my fifth kid making the Olympic team.”

Jackson said that Butler and Terry shared the attributes all her Olympic athletes have shown: a true love of the sport and commitment to excellence.

“All those kids that have been in these teams, whether it be the Olympics or World Championships, they’re aggressive in this sport and aggressive in their life,” Jackson said.

Terry went to the University of Southern California and won two NCAA Championships in the 4×100 meter relays in 2019 and 2021. Butler left South Florida for the University of Georgia and helped the team finish ninth in the 4×400 relay at the 2023 NCAA Outdoor Championships. Terry finished third in the 100 meters at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials while Ellis and Butler finished first and second in the 400.

The 2024 games in Paris will be the first Olympic games of Terry’s and Butler’s careers. However, Ellis will be an Olympics veteran this summer. She competed at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where she took home the gold in the 4×400 relay.

Kendall’s parents, Sam and Wanda, moved to South Florida in 1990, where they raised Kendall and her two sisters in Pembroke Pines.

“When she was about 7 years old, she came home from school one day and she was so excited,” Wanda Ellis said. “She was saying she had been at recess that day… she had raced the boys and beat all the boys. She said, ‘Mom, I’m fast, I’m really fast.'”

Ellis’ parents decided to sign her up for the West Pines Optimist track club under coach Alex Armenteros. Ellis would run for Armenteros all the way through high school at Saint Thomas Aquinas.

“Kendall was always special from the age of 7,” Armenteros said. “I always say show me a great athlete, a dedicated athlete, and I’ll show you a great coach. She helped me be a great coach.”

Ellis’ parents realized she may have a serious future in the sport when she won the state championship in the 400 meters as a ninth grader. She would go on to win the state title in all four years of high school.

After high school, Ellis attended USC. She and the Trojans won the 4×400 relay as a senior at the 2018 NCAA Outdoor Championships and she began her professional track career upon graduation. Although she had been considered somewhat of a relay specialist, she won the 400 meters at the US Olympic Trials.  Now, she hopes to continue her run of success in Paris.

Sam Ellis said along with strong athletic competition, the diverse community in South Florida helped her grow the most as a person.

“Kendall was exposed to different people throughout her growing up,” he said. “So she has a much broader perspective in terms of relating to people… I think that the competitive nature of South Florida played a huge role in helping her develop into who she’s developed into.”

Ellis’ parents said seeing their daughter grow from those South Florida roots has been gratifying.

“It just kind of dawned on me how much Kendall has grown, you know?” Sam Ellis said. “She’s an adult. She’s a woman.”

All three athletes’ growth will be on display this summer at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where track and field events begin Aug. 1.

Artistic Swimming

Daniella Ramriez
Lives in Miami, where she grew up
Competes in technical and free routine
First-time Olympian

Basketball

Bam Adebayo
Plays for the Miami Heat
Won Olympic gold in 2020

Equestrian

Kent Farrington
Lives in Wellington
Competes in jumping
Went to Olympics in 2016 (silver) and 2020

Marcus Orlob
Lives in Loxahatchee
Competes in dressage
First-time Olympian

Adrienne Lyle
Lives in Wellington
Competes in dressage
Went to Olympics in 2012 and 2020 (silver)

Laura Kraut
Lives in Wellington
Competes in jumping
Was an Olympian in 2000, 2008 (gold) and 2020 (silver)

Judo

Angelica Delgado
From Miami, where she attended John A. Ferguson High School and Florida International University
Olympian in 2016 and 2020

Sailing

Markus Edegran
Lives in West Palm Beach
Competes in Formula Kite
First-time Olympian

Ian MacDiarmid
Lives in Delray Beach, where he grew up
Competes in 49er with Andrew Molleru
First-time Olympian

Sarah Newberry Moore
Lives in Miami, where she graduated from the Cushman School
Competes in Nacra 17 with David Liebenberg
First-time Olympian

Erika Reineke
Lives in Fort Lauderdale, where she grew up and graduated from Saint Thomas Aquinas
Competes in ILCA 6
First-time Olympian

Dominique Stater
Lives in Miami, where she was born and graduated from the University of Miami
Competes in iQFOiL (a format of windsurfing)
First-time Olympics

Soccer

Benjamin Cremaschi
Born in Miami, where he graduated from MAST Academy, and played for Weston FC
Currently plays for Inter Miami
First-time Olympian

Tennis

Coco Gauff
Lives in Delray Beach, where she was born and grew up
Competes in singles, mixed doubles with Taylor Fritz, women’s doubles with Jessica Pegula
First-time Olympian

Jessica Pegula
Lives in Boca Raton
Competes in singles and women’s doubles with Coco Gauff
Was an Olympian in 2020

Tommy Paul
Lives in Boca Raton
Competes in singles
Was an Olympian in 2020

Track and Field

Aaliyah Butler
From Fort Lauderdale, attended Piper High School in Sunrise and then Miami Northwestern High School
Competes in 400 meters and 4×400 relay
First-time Olympian

Kendall Ellis
Born and raised in Pembroke Pines, attended Saint Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale
Competes in 400 meters, 4×400 relay
Went to Olympics in 2020 (bronze, gold)

Russell Robinson
Attends the University of Miami
Competes in triple jump
First-time Olympian

Twanisha “Tee Tee” Terry
Born in Miami, where she grew up and attended Miami Northwestern High School
Competes in 100 meters, 4×100 relay
First-time Olympian

Water Polo

Ashleigh Johnson
From Miami, where she grew up and attended Ransom Everglades School
Went to Olympics in 2016 (gold) and 2020 (gold)

Messi, the iconic Inter Miami star, was sidelined in a match that, according to ESPN, could be his final one in international play.

“Leo and every other player, to us, will always mean a lot,” Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni said. “They changed everything for us.”

After a chaotic pregame that saw scenes such as people without tickets climbing over fencing and others crawling through air ducts to gain illegal entry into the event, the game, scheduled for an 8 p.m. start, was delayed before kicking off at 9:22.

“There was serious concern of fans being crushed in an attempt to enter,” Hard Rock Stadium representatives said in an official statement.

Two of CONMEBOL’s best faced off for the coveted title, and Argentina ultimately triumphed when, in the 112th minute — midway through the second overtime period — Lautaro Martinez, who substituted for Julian Alvarez in the extra time, ended up one-on-one with Colombia keeper Emiliano Martinez and found the back of the net for the game’s lone goal.

Argentina closed out extra time, and the win, to the sound of adoration for Argentinian fans.

“This team continuously surprises everyone,” Scaloni said. “We deserved to win… We are really happy to bring joy to the people. That is why they play.”

Both teams came out physically aggressive and focused on creating chances from counterattacks. Colombia was the leader offensively, with eight shots total and four on goal to Argentina’s three and one despite possession being nearly equal.

The referees were lenient on challenges as a whole in the first half. Only one yellow card was handed out to Colombia, and just seven free kicks total were awarded despite multiple players hitting the ground. Argentina and Colombia both had dangerous free kick chances in front of the net, which missed by decent margins.

“I think we played a very good first half, we had a great game plan,” Colombian manager Nestor Lorenzo said. “Sometimes, you wanted to keep the momentum and the intensity and the referee would not allow for that. But that is for you to discuss.”

As the whistle blew to end the first half, the two teams trotted back to the locker rooms even at 0-0.

Both teams continued to create dangerous chances on offense to open the second half. Each side got off a combined five shots in the first fifteen minutes of play after the intermission. Argentina had the most dangerous chance, as Colombian goalkeeper Camilo Vargas made a narrow save on a left-footed shot from Argentinian winger Angel Di Maria in the 58th minute.

Argentina took a huge blow in the 64th minute when Messi collapsed on the pitch and immediately reached for his leg. That, in combination with a blow to the leg in the first half, forced the Argentinian great out of the game. He was replaced by forward Nicolas Gonzalez.

Despite the loss of Messi, Argentina nearly struck first earlier on. A goal from Nicolas Tagliafico was ultimately called offsides to keep the match scoreless.

Both teams held off flurries of scoring chances to force extra time.

“We lacked continuity in the last part of the match, and we paid for that,” Lorenzo said.

As the Copa America comes to an end, Argentina, Colombia and Hard Rock Stadium, which is set to be a host stadium for the 2026 World Cup, look ahead to the next major international competition on U.S. soil.

Messi, the Inter Miami CF star, went down due to an apparent non-contact leg injury in the 64th minute of the second half. After suffering a prior blow to the lower body in the first period of play, Messi exited the pitch.

Video of the injury and his disconsolate reaction is here.

He could be seen crying on the sidelines, obviously in an emotional state in what’s rumored to be his last international game, according to ESPN. The 36-year-old has made 186 appearances for the Argentinian national team.

Messi ranks first in goals for Argentina with 109. He led the team to a World Cup in 2022.

Inter Miami, despite Messi having missed almost half the team’s games (11 of 23), own the second-best record in Major League Soccer, having 47 points with 11 regular-season games remaining, trailing only Cincinnati with 48 points. The regular season ends on Oct. 19.

“I really loved the idea of joining this team and this energy and this group,” he said. “I love that about Paul and I love that about how he treats his teams.”

Schmidt signed a one-year contract with the Panthers after spending the last three seasons with the Winnipeg Jets. He logged 65 points and a plus-minus rating of plus-21 while with the Jets. He spent part of his first year with Winnipeg under Maurice before the now-Panthers coach stepped away from the team in December 2021.

“I had a chance now to come back full circle again,” Schmidt said. “That style and that type of accountability he holds his team to. … That’s what I was looking for in free agency.”

The 11-year veteran had a solid 2023-24 season with the Jets, scoring 14 points and maintaining a plus-10 rating as Winnipeg finished with the second-best points total in the Western Conference. He and the team would sputter out in the playoffs, losing in five games to the Colorado Avalanche in the first round. Schmidt had just one point and dropped to a minus-5 rating in the series.

Schmidt hasn’t been to a conference final since his 2019-20 season with the Vegas Golden Knights. He said he hopes to reach those levels and more with a Florida team that has the second-best odds to repeat as Stanley Cup champions.

“You don’t realize you have it until it’s gone, and this team has it,” he said. “I told the guys when I talked to them, ‘Just give me a taste, a taste of what you guys are having now. I just want to be a part of that.’ ”

Schmidt will have an opportunity to fill in a big defensive role with Florida both in even-strength, penalty kill and power-play situations. The Panthers lost key defensive players in Brandon Montour, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Josh Mahura and more.

Despite being primed for an important role with the team, Schmidt said he’s ready to compete at training camp and will take on whatever role the team gives him.

“There’s a lot of defensemen going to camp … you’re gonna have to grind out a spot again,” he said. “No matter how many games you’ve played and how many playoff teams you’ve been a part of, good teams you’ve been a part of. It doesn’t mean much until you get there.”

With offseason and preseason activities around the corner, Schmidt is motivated to cement himself as a part of Florida’s defensive core.

“It’s an excellent core group with a great [defensive] core and just say, ‘Hey, I can help contribute … on a team that just won the cup,’ ” he said. “That’s a very enticing feeling. … This group has the pieces, now it’s time for me to jump on board and get ready to go.”

Nosek looks to continue filling that role for the Florida Panthers. He signed a one-year contract with the team July 1 and is expected to take on the fourth-line center role after Kevin Stenlund left for Utah in free agency.

“Tomas is an experienced veteran forward who plays a strong two-way game,” Panthers general manager Bill Zito said. “We are looking forward to him joining our club for the upcoming campaign.”

The veteran forward has made a name for himself as a depth scorer and solid penalty killer in nearly a decade of NHL service.

“My rule for the last couple years as a fourth-line center were be good on the PK, kill some penalties and do the little things right,” he said. “Find a way to help a team win a game. That’s why I chose to sign with the Panthers. … I wanna win, and I’d do anything to help them win a game.”

Nosek played his first full season in the NHL with the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2017-18 season. He scored 15 points in 67 regular-season games and six more in the playoffs on the way to Vegas’ first Stanley Cup Final appearance. He scored three goals in the series loss against the Washington Capitals.

The 31-year-old hopes to get another shot at the Cup with the Panthers.

“We went all the way to the final, and since then I’ve been chasing that final game,” he said. “Every year you want to win, and especially when you get older you want to win even more.”

Nosek is plenty familiar with the Panthers’ style of play. He took on Florida in the 2023 NHL playoffs as a member of the Boston Bruins in a feisty seven-game series.

“That season was history, [Boston] never lost two games in a row,” Nosek said. “And then in the playoffs, [Florida] beat us three games in a row. So it was a special team.”

Although that series was highly combative and sparked a recent rivalry between the two teams, Nosek said there’s no hard feelings.

“I don’t think I’m the first or last person that got into some kind of discussion between the benches,” he said. “It’s a part of hockey. … I don’t think there will be a problem.”

Perhaps the biggest concern with Nosek’s signing is his health. He missed half of the 2023-24 season with the New Jersey Devils due to a right-foot injury. Still, the season prior in Boston was his best yet with a career-high 18 points. If he can return to full health and form as a Panther, he’ll prove to be a great asset for a team on the hunt for another Stanley Cup.

“Last season was not good from an injury standpoint,” he said. “Now I feel healthy, and it’s been good so far and a great summer so far. It’s been a long summer now too, but I’m looking forward to jump on the ice again.”

The open scrimmage will be from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday at Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale.

Florida’s roster of prospects is made up of 22 forwards, 11 defensemen and six goaltenders. It features selections from the Panthers’ last five NHL drafts and additional invitees ranging from ages 18-25. The prospects are getting their first taste of practice in a NHL facility coming from the NCAA, junior leagues and Florida’s minor-league organizations.

Gracyn Sawchyn, the Panthers’ most recent first-round draft selection in 2023, will attend camp after spending last season in the Western Hockey League. Joining him is forward Jack Devine, a two-time NCAA Champion who just finished his senior season at the University of Denver. Kai Schwindt rounds out the top end of the roster after scoring 23 points in 33 games this season in the Ontario Hockey League.

Maybe the most notable aspect of the roster is who’s excluded: 21-year-old forward Mackie Samsokevich. He’s expected to play his first full season with Florida this year after the Panthers’ look to fill gaps in their lower lines. Bypassing development camp could be a sign of confidence from the team.

Development camp doesn’t indicate who will make Florida’s roster in the fall, but could earn young players an invite to training camp with the full team. It will also serve as a chance for hockey-hungry fans to see potential future Panthers on the ice.

Panthers general manager Bill Zito announced Wednesday that the team has extended the contract of center Anton Lundell. The six-year deal reportedly is worth $30 million, according to several media outlets, and keeps Lundell in South Florida through the 2029-30 season.

Lundell, who is just 22 years old, recorded 13 goals and 22 assists while manning the Panthers’ third line last season. He logged just under half his regular season points in the playoffs with 17 points in 24 games.

“Anton has matured into a dependable multirole center for our club, who seized his opportunity from his first day in North America,” Zito said in a statement. “His commitment to improvement and cerebral approach to the game earned him the profound respect of his teammates and coaches, and we are excited to see him continue to grow and succeed with the Panthers.”

Lundell is the third player to re-sign with Florida this offseason, joining defenseman Dmitry Kulikov and winger Sam Reinhart, who led the team in goals last season. Lundell is one of five Panthers to be under contract through 2029-30. He joins Reinhart, team captain Aleksander Barkov, winger Carter Verhaeghe and defenseman Gustav Forsling.

Drafted 12th overall by the Panthers in 2020, Lundell has quickly cemented himself as a part of the team’s core and will have plenty of time to grow under Florida’s prolific offensive group.

Other free agent news

Florida announced the signing of defenseman Nate Schmidt Wednesday afternoon. He penned a one-year deal worth a reported $800 thousand.

Schmidt, 32, notched 14 points for the Winnipeg Jets last season and appeared in 62 games.

“Nate is a veteran puck-moving defenseman who we expect to seamlessly integrate with our style of play,” Zito said. “We are excited to welcome him to our club in 2024-25.”

Schmidt was signed as the Panthers look to replace defensive production from Brandon Montour, who left for Seattle on Monday for a seven-year contract.

It wasn’t all gains for Florida in free agency Wednesday. The Panthers are parting ways with right wing Vladimir Tarasenko after he signed a 2-year deal with the Detroit Red Wings worth $9.5 million.

Tarasenko arrived in Florida in a trade with the Ottawa Senators in March. He scored five goals and assisted on four more during the Panthers’ postseason run with a plus-minus rating of +4. Florida now must find a replacement for Tarasenko’s consistent production on the third line.