Full Breakdown
Miami Dolphins Training Camp: Offense Stumbles, Deep Passes and Emerging Playmakers
8/8/2026, 10:38:06 PM
Practice 8 – Turnover-Heavy Offensive Session
Friday’s padded practice at the Baptist Health Training Complex turned into a rough outing for Miami’s offense. The Dolphins recorded four interceptions—two by Miles Battle, one each by Louis Moore and Jackson Woodard—according to Sports Illustrated. Quarterbacks Malik Willis and Quinn Ewers each threw multiple passes; Willis highlighted the session with a long completion to Caleb Douglas and a touchdown pass to rookie tight end Will Kacmarek.
The defensive line generated pressure, but the offensive line showed mixed results. First-round pick Kadyn Proctor and center Aaron Brewer excelled in one-on-ones, while tackle Charlie Heck continued to struggle. New tight end Jeremiah Franklin made his practice debut but did not participate in team drills.
Practice 9 – Deep Throws and Defensive Highlights
Saturday’s session at Hard Rock Stadium introduced live tackling and a focus on deep passing. Malik Willis finished 7-for-13 with no touchdowns or interceptions and added a scrambling touchdown run, as reported by Sports Illustrated. Wide receiver Tahj Washington delivered a ?50-yard reception from Cam Miller, earning praise as the day’s standout offensive player.
Defensively, cornerback Ethan Robinson secured the sole interception, and the pass rush produced a sack by Chop Robinson after he beat Austin Jackson. Rookie linebacker Jacob Rodriguez contributed a pass breakup and a run tackle on his first set of reps.
Player Participation and Absences
Both practices saw a similar roster of absentees. The Miami Herald listed missing players as cornerback JuJu Brents, edge defender Clelin Ferrell, safety Lonnie Johnson Jr., guard Jamaree Salyer, wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr., and safety Dante Trader Jr. Tight end Greg Dulcic remained in a red jersey due to a right-hand injury, and kicker Zane Gonzalez left the field for treatment.
Returning players included tackle Austin Jackson, who participated fully after missing two prior sessions, and newcomer Omar Brown.
Data & Statistics
- Interceptions (Practice 8): 4 (Battle 2, Moore 1, Woodard 1).
- Willis passing (Practice 9): 7-of-13, 0 TD, 0 INT.
- Touchdowns: Willis to Kacmarek (Practice 8); Willis scramble (Practice 9).
- Deep completions: Miller to Washington (?50 yd, Practice 9).
- Sacks: Chop Robinson (Practice 9), Matthew Butler and Clelin Ferrell (Practice 8).
Official Observations
Head coach Jeff Hafley was noted giving a congratulatory hand slap to wide receiver Jalen Reagor after a block on safety Louis Moore, highlighting the importance of non-lineman blocking. The practice report also emphasized the offensive line’s strong performance in one-on-ones, particularly from Jonah Savaiinaea.
Impact and Outlook
The back-to-back practices illustrate ongoing challenges for the Dolphins’ passing game, with turnovers persisting despite flashes of deep-ball accuracy. Malik Willis showed improvement in route execution and red-zone efficiency, while Quinn Ewers recorded his first practice touchdown pass. The continued absence of key defensive backs (Brents, Ferrell) and offensive linemen (Salyer) may influence depth-chart decisions ahead of the scheduled scrimmage on Saturday, as noted by the Miami Herald.
Timeline
- Friday (Practice 8): Padded session, four interceptions, Willis touchdown pass.
- Saturday (Practice 9): Live-tackling drills, deep passes, one interception, Willis scramble TD.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
No direct contradictions appear across the sources; however, neither outlet provided an official statement from the Dolphins organization regarding the quarterback competition or the status of the absent players. Further clarification from team officials is pending.
