MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel offered updates on recent missed practices for cornerback Jalen Ramsey, safety Jevon Holland and defensive tackle Benito Jones — among others — ahead of Wednesday’s training camp session.
Ramsey’s undisclosed injury doesn’t appear to be serious.
McDaniel said the Dolphins are “being proactive” in not pushing Ramsey out there for “something he’s dealing with.” It’s against Ramsey’s will, as the coach said his star cornerback is eager to return to drills in camp.
Ramsey, of course, suffered a knee injury in last year’s camp, which sidelined him until late October, so it’s fitting the team takes a cautious approach, especially since Ramsey has seen significant training camp practice reps for a player of his caliber.
Holland is day-to-day as he’s “working through something minor,” according to McDaniel.
“He’s been involved each and every day,” he added.
Jones is day-to-day after more than a week of missed practice sessions.
On the positive side of injury updates, veteran left tackle Terron Armstead has seen an uptick in practice participation at this point in camp. On Tuesday, he elevated to live 11-on-11 work after doing so in a walkthrough setting Monday.
“It’s been going outstanding,” McDaniel said of Armstead’s maintenance program in camp. “He is in a great spot from a health perspective. We plan on doing everything we can to make sure that stays the course.
“Good, going along the process we’ve had. Good work, really, across the board.”
McDaniel also said Armstead has taken his leadership to the next level.
On Odell Beckham Jr., who remains on the physically-unable-to-perform list deep into training camp, McDaniel said he’s not necessarily concerned that he isn’t running routes yet, as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa noted Tuesday. The Dolphins coach wants Beckham to be fully prepared before activation off PUP to join the team in practice.
“He’s working his way back to being on the field,” McDaniel said.
Meanwhile, offensive lineman Isaiah Wynn hasn’t returned from the PUP list, either. It’s unclear if it’s strictly the same quadriceps that cut short Wynn’s 2023 season last October.
“There’s just compounding stuff once in a while that you just want to make sure is fully healthy,” McDaniel said, “but it’s lower extremity related, and I’ll really leave it at that.”
Hill impressing
Not star wide receiver Tyreek Hill — although he always impresses. But second-year tight end Julian Hill.
That Hill, who made the active roster as an undrafted rookie in 2023, wore the orange jersey at Miami’s Wednesday practice as the team’s Tuesday practice player of the day.
A physical blocker who can also elevate and catch a pass at 6 foot 4, 251 pounds, Hill also impressed at last year’s camp to make the team. But it didn’t translate into much production: Six receptions for 48 yards.
“I’m just going to make sure that I trust myself,” Hill said. “I’m making sure I put that work in, and when it’s time for the game, I get to hit another opponent, I’m going to be ready to go.”
Hill said Miami tight ends coach Jon Embree is having him watch tape of 49ers tight end George Kittle, whom Embree coached in San Francisco.
The Dolphins infamously were the only NFL team in 2023 to go without a touchdown from the tight end position. Between Durham Smith, newcomer Jonnu Smith, Hill and others, the unit would like to change that in 2024, but they all have to play within the scheme, which emphasizes more of their blocking skills.
“We always want to make plays on the field,” Hill said, “but sometimes you just got to do what your job is requiring of you in that moment, and sometimes that’s all you need in a team sport.”
No motion rule change
NFL officials made an annual training camp stop with Dolphins reporters on Wednesday to discuss rule changes heading into the 2024 season.
They clarified, despite media reports highlighting an emphasis on the Dolphins’ pre-snap jet motion, that there in fact is no rule change when it comes to it, nor has there even been an emphasis made for officials.
Much of the discussion dealt with the league’s new kickoff rules, the penalties for hip-drop tackles and new ways officials can get an assist from replays.
The Dolphins and 49ers, McDaniel’s previous team before claiming the head role in Miami, are the teams that use pre-snap motion more than the rest of the league.
DT signed
The Dolphins signed former Florida State defensive tackle Robert Cooper on Wednesday.
The move comes a day after fellow defensive tackle Teair Tart was released. McDaniel noted Wednesday Tart wasn’t a particularly good scheme fit for Miami’s defense.
At 335 pounds, Cooper can compete for playing time at nose tackle, lining up across from either shoulder of the center.
Cooper entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Seattle Seahawks in 2023, spending part of the offseason program with them. He participated in training camp with Seattle and Philadelphia in 2023.
