Dolphins get two safeties back. And Grier on Wilson, backup line, Cam Smith
A six-pack of Dolphins notes on a Thursday:
▪ Two safeties who missed much of training camp due to injuries returned this week, changing the look of a room with only one returning player from a year ago.
Ashtyn Davis, who was wearing a boot on his foot just a month ago, practiced on Wednesday for the first time since sustaining the injury July 29.
And rookie Dante Trader Jr. is back practicing after missing much of the preseason with an undisclosed soft-tissue injury.
Davis’ rapid return is something of a surprise, based on how severe the injury initially looked.
When Davis went down with what appeared to be a noncontact injury, he walked off the field with a severe limp, barely able to put pressure on his left foot.
Several teammates, including Tua Tagovailoa, came over to comfort him. The team brought out the cart, but a severely hobbled Davis walked off on his own. He later came back outside on crutches with a boot on his left foot.
Speaking on Thursday for the first time since the injury, Davis said he initially was concerned it might be a lot more severe. He said he felt like a “kid in a candy store” returning to practice.
Coach Mike McDaniel wouldn’t rule out a return for the opener Sept. 7 at the Colts.
Is he back to 100%?
“Im getting there, doing what I can to get back,” said Davis, who had eight career interceptions in 69 games (22 starts) for the Jets.
Trader also is back working, at least to an extent. After flashing early in camp — including an interception off Zach Wilson that could have been returned for a touchdown — Trader was held out for much of the past 3 1/2 weeks while nursing a soft-tissue injury.
He played just five snaps in preseason, all in the second game; McDaniel said the team didn’t want to risk the injury worsening. He didn’t practice for a week after that game because “they didn’t want to put me too much at risk.”
How frustrating was missing most of camp?
“You’ve got to look at it from two perspectives,” he said. “I’m blessed to be here, grateful for the opportunity. But I’m a very competitive person, so when I see people out there competing and I can’t, it messes with you.”
The fact the Dolphins didn’t stash him on season-ending injured reserve was telling and a sign they believe the fifth-round pick can help on special teams and potentially on defense if needed behind Minkah Fitzpatrick, Ifeatu Melifonwu, Davis and Elijah Campbell.
“I’m very versatile in the things that I can do — special teams, defense, kickoff, kick return, jammer on special teams,” he said. “On defense, I can play nickel and both safety spots. Having the ability to know the playbook is one of my strengths.”
Trader, who was also a star lacrosse player at Maryland, said he appreciates the help he has received from the four veteran safeties.
“I call them my uncles,” he said. “I’ve got a lot of uncles in my room. Minkah is great, Very instinctual, great teammate. If you ask, you shall receive with Minkah.
“[Whether] it’s my footwork or a play on the field, he will take himself out of his focus to help me. I appreciate Minkah for that. I’m going to drain this resource. Ask [him questions] every day, be that sponge. Be that annoying little brother... to get to where I need to be.”
▪ Dolphins cornerback Storm Duck had an interesting revelation about Fitzpatrick this week:
“That’s someone I looked up to when I was smaller, seeing him play at Alabama. I haven’t told him this yet, but he’s the reason I wore No. 29 when I was at North Carolina.
“Having a guy like that is amazing. He’s seen everything, can give us tips. He knows the game, and he’s been around the game a long time.”
▪ One big question — as usual — is the offensive line depth. The four reserves on the 53-man roster, at the moment, are tackles Kendall Lamm and Larry Borom, guard/tackle Kion Smith and guard/center Daniel Brunskill.
Center Andrew Meyer (injured reserve) and guard Liam Eichenberg (physically unable to perform list) are both eligible to return after Week 4.
With right tackle Austin Jackson injured the past month (but expected to be ready for the opener), “it was good for Larry Borom [to get more work],” general manager Chris Grier said. “He was coming in learning a whole new technique, and coaches are very happy with him.
“Getting Kion Smith back was really good because he can play tackle and guard. Daniel Brunskill has been a veteran that has played in this system for a long time so he gives us some comfort there as a backup.”
▪ Grier, on new backup quarterback Zach Wilson: “Each game he’s gotten better and better. The first part of camp, when we were just going through a lot of stuff 7-on-7, he was really good and then the team stuff happened... and there were times he was holding the ball focusing on stuff too long.
“The one thing I think we like is he’s smart. Players have all liked him in the locker room, his leadership. He’s a really good guy with a sneaky personality that he probably doesn’t show people. But the players like him.
“It’s a really good room with three of them in there with Tua Tagovailoa and Quinn Ewers. They get along very well. Confident that if [Wilson] went into a game he could help us move the offense and help us win a game.”
▪ Grier, when asked why cornerback Cam Smith landed on the non-football injury/illness list and how long he could be out: “With NFI, we don’t really talk about what’s going on. We’ve had other players here that have done that. Cam had some of his best ball the past two weeks. He’s been really good so we’ll see what happens. We’ll work through it and then we’ll see what happens down the road.”
▪ Quick stuff: Kendall Lamm, signed after being released by Philadelphia, said he’s happy to be back. He had back surgery after last season but said he always wanted to continue playing.
“It’s great to be here, great to help the team once again,” said Lamm, who started 16 games at tackle, over three years, for Miami. “It’s a blessing... I’m familiar with this place, so it’s not too bad.”...
Recent former Dolphins who landed on other teams’ practice squads include receiver Erik Ezukanma and defensive lineman Matt Dickerson (both with Jacksonville), linebacker Mo Kamara (Tampa Bay), offensive tackle Ryan Hayes (Atlanta), quarterback Tyler Huntley (Baltimore) and safety Jordan Poyer (Buffalo).
Among former Dolphins who were released by other teams this week: receiver River Cracraft and guard/center Michael Deiter (both by Washington) and cornerback Eli Apple and receiver Robbie Chosen (both by the 49ers).
Here’s lots of news from Mike McDaniel’s Thursday news conference, including injury updates on Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Wright and the addition of two running backs.
This story was originally published August 28, 2025 at 3:55 PM.
