How Jalen Ramsey’s commitment is paying off for the Dolphins’ defense
Jalen Ramsey faced his teammates just hours after a freak injury that upended the beginning of his tenure with the Miami Dolphins.
He was covering wide receiver Tyreek Hill on the second day of training camp in late July when he sustained a non-contact meniscus injury. It was a sobering blow to a team — and defense, specifically — filled with loads of offseason hype after trading for the six-time Pro Bowler.
But as Ramsey spoke to his teammates, he let them know that he would be fine — and so would they. He emphasized how the defense had all the pieces in place to be a top unit without him, calling Xavien Howard one of the best corners in the league.
“He wanted guys to just step up and play football, so when he got back, he was going to be like an added piece and not a missing piece,” cornerback Kader Kohou told the Miami Herald.
Ramsey’s message was heartfelt, full of conviction and reassuring for a group who just saw him limp to the sideline and carted away.
“Our team was in the tank until he talked to the team,” coach Mike McDaniel said.
Ramsey called his shot. When initial reports said his torn meniscus could sideline him until December, he aimed for a speedier recovery. He returned in Week 8, just three months removed from surgery, and while Ramsey recently said he’s still in “training camp” mode, he’s been everything Miami could have hoped for.
As the Dolphins face the New York Jets on the road for the NFL’s first Black Friday game, Ramsey leads the team with three interceptions in three games. Ramsey’s quick return from a knee injury took a diligent commitment that has garnered even more respect for him. So has the level of investment he showed to the team on a day-to-day basis.
“Never in my career have I seen someone with a months, not weeks, injury be as involved in a team,” McDaniel said.
Teammates noted how Ramsey remained a fixture in meetings even as he juggled a taxing rehab assignment, helping with the game plans and giving tips in the group chat.
“I’ve been here over the years and there’s a lot of guys that get hurt and they just disappear,” inside linebacker Jerome Baker told the Herald. “They don’t come around.”
He added: “All the guys just kind of gravitate to what he’s saying because you can tell his heart is in it and you definitely respect him for that.”
Ramsey is the most well-versed player in defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s scheme, having played in a form of it with the Los Angeles Rams. And his insight was invaluable for a group adjusting to a new defense.
“He’s a student of the game, which is something that you don’t know until you get around a guy,” Fangio said. “He’s a smart player. He’s a team player. He likes to help people and he’s been a great addition.”
Ramsey accompanied the team on its road trips while injured and was as engaged as anyone on the sideline. Rookie cornerback Cam Smith said that in Miami’s Week 2 road game against the New England Patriots, he called out a specific formation which always resulted in a receiver running an out pattern.
“That’s really the first time I was like, alright, I’ve got to start looking at the whole formation and stuff like that. Because it was true,” Smith said.
It was at that Patriots game, too, that Ramsey told McDaniel he intended to be back for the teams’ next matchup on Oct. 29. The Dolphins never gave a timeline on Ramsey’s return but in early October, some players sensed a comeback could be imminent.
During a walkthrough about three weeks before his return, Smith noticed Ramsey doing broad jumps, which he didn’t think he was at the point of doing. Defensive back Elijah Campbell saw Ramsey’s fluidity in drills in early October and joked that he looked ready to see the field the next week.
When Ramsey’s debut arrived, it seemed like it came out of a script. In a 31-17 Dolphins win, Ramsey undercut a pass from Mac Jones and almost returned it back to the end zone.
Since Ramsey’s return, Miami’s defense has been top-10 in yards per play allowed, opponent passer rating and opponent third-down conversation rate. The unit was already trending upwards after a slow start, but Ramsey’s on-field presence has helped take the defense to new heights.
Ramsey’s two-interception performance, including the game-sealing pick, against the Las Vegas Raiders earned him AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors for the second time in his career.
“For some guys, these past three games that I’ve been able to play are their first time seeing me live in action,” Ramsey said. “I’m a very confident player. I know what I’ve been able to do for a long time. I know what I’m capable of. For some of my teammates, they haven’t got to see this live yet, so I try to go out there and give them a show for sure.”
There was already a high level of respect for a player left tackle Terron Armstead called “Mr. Gold Jacket,” a nod to Ramsey’s standing as a future Hall of Famer. But he’s also taken on the role of a leader and mentor. It’s the little things, from bringing in food trucks and catered meals every Friday and reminding the team to throw a Halloween party, to his doggedness in returning from an injury that could have threatened his season.
And it’s all played a role in a defense playing like the dominant unit many envisioned months ago.
“I think he comes back and it raises peoples’ level of game,” McDaniel said, “because he’s an elite player, but you also know what he did to get back here. So maybe you take an extra 30 minutes to review your tip sheet that you get from your coaches the night before the game. The residuals are endless. If you want to be a winning program, that has to happen. Or you’re just wishing and hoping. I can’t say enough good things about that guy. He’s one of my top three favorite players of all time.”
