News, notes, observations from Day 1 practice of Dolphins mandatory minicamp
News, notes and observations from Day 1 of the Dolphins’ three-day mandatory minicamp on Tuesday:
▪ Two interceptions returned for touchdowns, and a deep TD throw from Tua Tagovailoa, were the signature plays Tuesday.
Safety Elijah Campbell picked off a Quinn Ewers pass and returned it for a touchdown after the ball bounced off the hands of undrafted Northwestern rookie receiver A.J. Henning.
Rookie fifth-round safety Dante Trader had a pick-six on a pass thrown by Zach Wilson, and there wasn’t a receiver close on the play. (Wilson badly overthrew Tahj Washington.) Wilson had another pass picked off (by Isaiah Johnson on a 50-50 ball) and nearly threw a third INT.
The other highlight: A Tagovailoa 50-yard TD throw to Malik Washington, who beat fifth-round rookie cornerback Jason Marshall Jr.
▪ Receiver Jaylen Waddle beat linebacker Jordyn Brooks for a 30-yard catch-and-run before being touched at the 5-yard line by safety Ifeatu Melinfonwu.
▪ Also in 11 on 11 work, Tagovailoa threw a red-zone touchdown to new Dolphins receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, who caught the pass while defended by Ethan Bonner.
Tagovailoa also made a smart check down to De’Von Achane for a first down.
▪ Linebacker Quinton Bell beat tackle Kion Smith, stopping a run at the line of scrimmage, in 11 on 11 drills.
▪ Linebacker Willie Gay Jr. batted down a Wilson pass that was supposed to be a screen.
▪ Running back Alexander Mattison had an impressive run; it could have been an 11-yard touchdown if the play hadn’t been stopped.
▪ Linebacker KJ Britt sacked Wilson, who threw the ball anyway to Erik Ezukanma, who dropped it.
▪ Running back Jaylen Wright had a touchdown run, thanks in part to a good block from Western Michigan undrafted rookie tackle Teddi Kushi.
▪ Bradley Chubb was in Tagovailoa’s face so quickly that he had to throw the ball prematurely to Malik Washington, who couldn’t haul it in.
▪ Guard Liam Eichenberg put rookie fifth-round pick Jordan Phillips on the ground with an impressive block.
▪ Defensive lineman Benito Jones stopped Achane in the backfield to the left side.
▪ Linebacker Chop Robinson had a sack of Ewers, who threw the ball anyway. Isaiah Johnson picked it off -- Ewers’ second interception Tuesday. Grayson Murphy and Britt also had sacks.
▪ Meanwhile, in 7 on 7 work, new receiver Westbrook-Ikhine caught a red zone touchdown from Tagovailoa, beating cornerback Kendall Sheffield. Tight end Julian Hill beat Melifonwu for a five-yard touchdown throw from Tagovailoa.
▪ Also in 7 on 7 work, Wilson rifled in a TD throw to Achane, with Gay Jr. in coverage. Bonner dropped an interception on a Wilson pass intended for receiver Tahj Washington; it could have been a pick-six if Bonner held onto it.
▪ Tight end Tanner Conner wore the orange jersey bestowed on the standout of the previous practice.
▪ Receiver Tyreek Hill, working his way back from two wrist procedures, was catching passes, but not during team drills. He’s expected to be back for training camp.
▪ Defensive lineman Zach Sieler participated in individual drills but not team drills. He has been around the facility for the entire offseason program but his involvement in on-field work has been limited. Players who want new contracts often sit out offseason practices, but nobody has confirmed that’s the case with Sieler.
▪ The two players not in attendance on Tuesday: tight end Jonnu Smith and cornerback Jalen Ramsey. The only player with an excused absence was Ramsey, according to Mike McDaniel; the team continues efforts to trade the Pro Bowl cornerback.
Smith wants a new contract and has been the subject of trade discussions. McDaniel declined to say if Smith will be fined for his absence. According to Spotrac, a player is fined $17,462 for a first absence during minicamp, $34,925 for a second and $52,381 for a third.
▪ Guard James Daniels, recovering from a torn Achilles’ tendon sustained in Week 4 last season when he played for Pittsburgh, participated in some individual drills, then worked with a trainer on the side while the team conducted 11 on 11 drills. The expectation is he will be ready for the regular season, his representation has said.
▪ Linebacker Jaelan Phillips participated in 7 on 7 red zone drills. He was a sporadic participant in recent OTAs as he works back from a torn ACL sustained in Week 4 against Tennessee.
Miami Herald sportswriters Omar Kelly and Isaiah Smalls reported from the Dolphins practice site in Miami Gardens.
Here’s an update on the Jonnu Smith and Zach Sieler situations.
Here’s an update on the Dolphins’ cornerback situation, include Jalen Ramsey and Jaire Alexander news.
This story was originally published June 10, 2025 at 12:28 PM.
