Full Breakdown
Dolphins Face Injury Surge Ahead of Preseason Opener vs. Washington
8/10/2026, 9:33:59 PM
Injury Update Before Preseason Opener
Miami’s preseason begins with a “wave of injuries,” leaving several veterans unavailable for the joint practice in Ashburn, Virginia, and the Friday game against the Washington Commanders. Head coach Jeff Hafley confirmed that cornerback JuJu Brents, safety Dante Trader Jr., wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr., tight end Ben Sims, defensive end Clelin Ferrell, and kicker Zane Gonzalez will miss at least the first week of practice. Rookie offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer and safety Lonnie Johnson Jr. are listed as “close” to returning but not cleared for the immediate session.
Background & Context
The Dolphins entered the 2026 preseason after a roster overhaul that saw the departure of Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Bradley Chubb and Minkah Fitzpatrick. New quarterback Malik Willis, a recent draft pick, leads a youthful squad that must establish continuity quickly. The injury list adds pressure as the team competes for the 53-man roster ahead of final cuts.
Data & Statistics
- Week-to-week: Zane Gonzalez (kicker)
- Short-term: JuJu Brents (CB), Dante Trader Jr. (S), Kevin Coleman Jr. (WR), Ben Sims (TE)
- Multiple weeks: Clelin Ferrell (DE)
- Close to practice: Jamaree Salyer (OL), Lonnie Johnson Jr. (S)
These absences affect the defensive backfield and special-teams units, limiting veteran depth as the team evaluates younger talent.
Official Statements & Responses
Coach Hafley said the joint practice offers a chance to assess individual performance rather than overall schemes and that final decisions on the preseason opener will be made after Wednesday’s evaluation. He noted that the injuries create opportunities for players such as Malik Willis, De’Von Achane, Aaron Brewer, Marco Wilson, Alex Austin, Ethan Bonner, Ethan Robinson and A.J. Green III to earn roster spots.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I would say Zane [Gonzalez - kicker] will be week-to-week.” — Jeff Hafley
- “Everybody who is on our team right now needs to be ready to play,” — Jeff Hafley
- “I think it's a really good time with where we're at in the competition, not really to evaluate the team, but to evaluate the individuals,” — Jeff Hafley
Why It Matters
The injuries limit veteran leadership during a critical evaluation period, forcing the staff to rely on younger players to demonstrate readiness for the regular season. With roster cuts looming, performance in the joint practice and the preseason game will heavily influence which fringe players secure a spot on the final roster.
What's Next
The Dolphins will conduct a joint practice with Washington in Ashburn, Virginia, before the Friday preseason matchup at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland. After that game, Miami hosts the New York Giants and Atlanta Falcons in the final two preseason contests, providing additional windows for injured players to return and for the coaching staff to finalize depth charts.
