Here’s what happened at Day 1 of Dolphins training camp: News, highlights
News, notes, highlights and observations from Day 1 of Dolphins training camp practice Wednesday at team headquarters in Miami Gardens:
First, the serious stuff: Offensive lineman Bayron Matos was taken by helicopter to an area hospital with an undisclosed injury sustained late in practice. He’s in stable condition. The injury happened during what appeared to be an inadvertent collision with a teammate.
Also, cornerback Artie Burns Jr. left the facility on crutches. He is feared to have suffered a torn ACL. Here’s more on those two issues.
▪ Tua Tagovailoa was sharp with his accuracy, completing a bunch of short and intermediate passes.
▪ There were some good moments from two 2022 mid-round picks who need strong camps to make the team. One of them, linebacker Channing Tindall, stood up rookie running back Ollie Gordon II on an impressive defensive play.
Meanwhile, receiver Erik Ezukanma caught a 20-yard pass from Zach Wilson and a 15-yarder from rookie Quinn Ewers.
▪ While one corner (Burns) was injured, another was more fortunate. Rookie cornerback BJ Adams fell to the ground after an apparent collision, got up with help, then dropped to the ground again — with his hands cushioning his fall - before being assisted off by team personnel. But he returned to practice a bit later.
▪ Zach Sieler participated in both individual and team drills. That was in question because he’s reportedly seeking a new contract.
▪ The practice, which wasn’t open to the public, began inside the bubble and moved outside for the second half, after lightning dissipated in the area. The team practiced in the rain for the final 30 minutes or so.
The first practice open to the public is Saturday. All practices during the first two weeks of camp begin at 8:15 a.m., earlier than past years.
▪ Guard James Daniels, back from his Week 4 torn Achilles last season, participated in parts of teams drills before leaving to do conditioning work. Daniels, who is playing with a brace on his left knee, looks very fluid and moves well getting to the second level. He was called for a false start early in team drills.
▪ Guard Braeden Daniels is worth watching. He’s fluid with his movement skills.
▪ With Ifeatu Melifonwu sidelined for now, look for Ashtyn Davis and Elijah Campbell to get first crack at the safety job opposite Minkah Fitzpatrick. Mike McDaniel suggest that Melifonwu’s situation isn’t serious; he’s on the non-football injury list.
Fitzpatrick practiced but delayed his media session with reporters for a second consecutive day.
▪ Bradley Chubb was positioned to get a sack, but Austin Jackson held him and drew a penalty. Chubb is wearing a brace on his right knee, which was injured in Week 17 of the 2023 season and kept him sidelined all of last season. He sustained a torn MCL, meniscus and patellar tendon in that game against Baltimore.
▪ Center Aaron Brewer worked on the side. His injury -- if there is one -- has not been disclosed, but he did not begin camp on the physically unable to perform list. Andrew Meyer got more work in Brewer’s absence.
▪ Alexander Mattison showed good burst on a run; he’s competing with Jaylen Wright and rookie Gordon for carries. Nate Noel, the rookie from Missouri, showed physicality on a 6-yard run.
▪ Ewers had a nice 20-yard completion to Arkansas rookie Andrew Armstrong. The Dolphins gave $234,000 guaranteed to two rookie receivers — Armstrong and Theo Wease Jr. When that much money is given to an undrafted rookie, it’s often a sign that a team believes a player has a decent chance of making the team.
▪ Jaylen Waddle caught a 20-yard pass from Tua Tagovailoa, and Alec Ingold then turned upfield on a short pass from Tagovailoa and gained about 25 yards.
▪ Keep an eye on veteran Kendall Sheffield in the battle for the open cornerback job opposite Kader Kohou. Sheffield hasn’t started a game since starting 20 for Atlanta in his first two NFL seasons (2019 and 2020) as a fourth-round pick out of Ohio State.
Storm Duck and Cam Smith are also very much in the mix. And it seems likely that Miami will sign a veteran at some point. For now, all of the young corners will get plenty of snaps. (A reminder that reporters are not permitted to say what players line up with the first team or second team.)
▪ Running back De’Von Achane had a nifty 20-yard run.
▪ Tagovailoa delivered a 10-yard completion to Malik Washington, who likely has the inside track for the No. 4 receiver job. Tagovailoa then completed a 15-yarder to Dee Eskridge.
▪ Tight end Tanner Conner fumbled after a reception and 20-yard run, and Cam Smith recovered and ran it back for about 20 yards.
▪ Rookie receiver Monaray Baldwin made a nice over-the-shoulder catch from Ewers, who threw one ball low but generally had a good day and seems to have improved his pocket presence from the May/June practices.
This story was originally published July 23, 2025 at 10:19 AM.
