Dolphins Stock Report (Day 10): Storm Duck locking down starting spot
One of the few mysteries of training camp centers around which three cornerbacks will become starters in 2025 for the Miami Dolphins.
One player whose consistent performance hints his name can be written in pen is Storm Duck, as long as he stays healthy for the duration of training camp and the exhibition season.
Duck, who has drawn praise from receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle for how consistent and patient he’s been, earned his second orange jersey honor on Sunday, being recognized for how steady he’s played all camp.
Duck, a second-year player who made the team as an undrafted rookie last season, was also an orange jersey recipient for one of Miami’s first OTA practices earlier this spring.
“Be consistent,” said Duck, who played 358 snaps on defense last year and gave up a 100.2 passer rating on passes thrown to his receiver or area. “I’m trying to be the same person everyday and make more plays.”
Here’s a breakdown of what happened in Day 10 of Dolphins training camp.
Top Performers
▪ Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick pulled down the first interception of a Tua Tagovailoa training camp pass when he stepped in front of an end zone pass thrown into a crowded area and returned the ball 80-yards before getting run down by Hill, who sprinted downfield to prevent the pick-six touchdown. This is Fitzpatrick’s second interception of training camp and both were jaw dropping plays.
▪ Edge rusher Bradley Chubb has had some quiet practices since pads came on. At times he’s been manhandled by left tackle Patrick Paul, especially in 1-on-1s. But during Sunday’s practice Chubb got back to being a defensive playmaker. During Miami’s 11-on-11 red zone period Chubb produced a tackle for loss on a De’Von Achane run, and then beat Paul to sack Tagovailoa on a third-and-goal situation from the 6-yard line. Sunday was clearly Chubb’s best padded practice of the week.
▪ Safety Jordan Colbert, a second-year safety who has been making impactful plays, intercepted a pass from Zach Wilson during an 11-on-11 period. Colbert, who was a member of the Dolphins practice squad last season, is competing with Dante Trader Jr., Patrick McMorris and John Sanders Jr. to become the fifth safety on the 53-man roster.
STOCK UP
▪ Mike Hilton, a nine-year veteran who was added last week to compete for a nickel cornerback role, produced a safety during a backed-in 11-on-11 period the Dolphins were working when he laid Jaylen Wright out with a physical hit 3-yards into the end zone. That drive started on the half-yard line because of two straight false starts the second-team offensive line committed. Hilton also would have potentially sacked Quinn Ewers on a red zone 11-on-11 snap, but since there’s no contact allowed Ewers threw a pass to rookie receiver Theo Wease Jr. that ended up being ruled a touchdown. After the play Hilton and Ewers were seen joking about how that play would have actually played out if the action were live.
STOCK DOWN
▪ Cam Smith hasn’t participated in two practices because of a soft tissue injury that flared up in week two, but listening to coach Mike McDaniel’s frustration when asked about Smith on Sunday indicates that the Dolphins are possibly ready to move on from the 2024 second-round pick.
“We are all awaiting his ability to stay on the field,” McDaniel said.
At the 2024 season-ending press conference with Chris Grier, the General Manager said “we’re not going hold his hand” when asked about Smith. At this point of camp Smith isn’t one of the team’s top six cornerbacks.
Injury updates
▪ Safety Ifeatu Melifonwu participated in his first practice of training camp after being removed from the active/non-football injury list. Melifonwu, who is expected to compete for the safety spot opposite Minkah Fitzpatrick, had his participation limited on Sunday.
▪ Center Aaron Brewer, who missed the first eight practices because of a soft tissue injury, participated in his first practice of training camp, but had a high snap during 11-on-11.
▪ Fullback Alec Ingold suffered a concussion during an 11-on-11 period late in practice. Ingold now enters the concussion protocol program, which means his involvement in next week’s joint practice with Chicago is doubtful.
▪ Receiver Dee Eskridge suffered cramps on Saturday, but participated without limitations on Sunday.
▪ Pass rusher Jaelan Phillips left Saturday’s practice with a left leg bruise and was held out of Sunday’s practice.
▪ Right tackle Austin Jackson was held out of his second practice after being stepped on, which led to a lower extremity injury. McDaniel claims Jackson should be back for the Sept. 7 season opener against the Indianapolis Colts.
▪ Cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. was held out of his second practice for undisclosed injury.
▪ Cornerback Cam Smith, who has been nursing a soft tissue leg injury, was held out of his second practice.
▪ Cornerback B.J. Adams, who suffered a concussion on Saturday, participated in his third straight practice with a red jersey on, which indicates he’s still in the concussion protocol program.
▪ Safety Dante Trader Jr. continues nursing a soft tissue issue and will be held out of practice for a week, giving him time to heal for Miami’s joint practices against the Chicago Bears next week.
▪ Tight end Jalin Conyers missed a sixth straight day of practice and has a boot on his left leg.
▪ Backup center Andrew Meyer left practice early for unknown reasons.
▪ Offensive tackle Byron Matos, who suffered a neck/shoulder injury on training camp’s first day, has missed nine practices since suffering the injury that hospitalized him.
What they said
“If they give me the orange jersey practice is going to be lit,” said linebacker Willie Gay Jr., who has been one of camp’s top playmakers daily when asked to address his orange jersey snubbing. “I’m just out there doing my job. I’m not really worried about it because I feel like coach [McDaniel] finds a guy who makes the play of the day, and picks a random guy sometimes. It is what it is. I ain’t really worried about it.”
This story was originally published August 3, 2025 at 12:32 PM.
