Dolphins lose Austin Jackson, make four roster moves. And Hill update, personnel notes
The Dolphins have now lost the entire right side of their offensive line after only one week of the regular season.
Days after placing right guard James Daniels on injured reserve with a pectoral issue, the Dolphins on Saturday placed right tackle Austin Jackson on injured reserve with a toe injury. Jackson missed a month because of a toe injury in preseason, then re-aggravated it in the opening loss against the Colts.
Miami signed cornerback Cornell Armstrong, who had been on the practice squad, to fill Jackson’s spot on the 53-man roster.
Daniels and Jackson are eligible to return from IR after missing four games. Mike McDaniel has said that Daniels should be back in that time frame, or soon after, but hasn’t said how long Jackson will be out.
For now, guard Kion Smith and tackle Larry Borom likely will be the right side of the Dolphins’ offensive line.
Also, the Dolphins elevated kicker Riley Patterson and running back Jeff Wilson Jr., making them both available for Sunday’s home game against New England (1 p.m., CBS 4).
The Dolphins elevated the same two players before their opening loss against the Colts. Teams can elevate a specific player no more than three times in a season.
Patterson, who is filling in for injured kicker Jason Sanders, did not attempt a field goal or point after touchdown in the opener. Wilson played two snaps on offense and none on special teams against the Colts.
On Sunday, the Dolphins will be without defensive tackle Benito Jones (oblique), cornerback Storm Duck (ankle) and tight end Darren Waller (hip). All were ruled out.
Jordan Phillips likely will replace Jones and Rasul Douglas will replace Duck.
Julian Hill and Tanner Conner, who split tight end snaps evenly against the Colts, will handle the position against the Patriots.
Running back Jaylen Wright (knee) and cornerback Ethan Bonner (hamstring) are doubtful. Bonner practiced on Friday for the first time since sustaining a hamstring injury against Detroit on Aug. 16.
Safety Ashtyn Davis (knee) is questionable. Davis, Wright and Bonner were limited in Friday’s practice.
Receiver Jaylen Waddle, who was limited with a shoulder injury this past week, has no injury designation and is expected to play on Sunday, Mike McDaniel said.
Hill update
In the wake of several reports, including in this space, that the Dolphins were not trying to trade Tyreek Hill, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Saturday that the Dolphins not only “have no plans” to trade him, but also haven’t received any calls from any teams interested in Hill.
The NFL has begun investigating the domestic violence allegations against Hill that were levied by his estranged wife, Keeta Vaccaro. That would further complicate any trade even if the Dolphins change their mind and try to deal him.
Here’s what Hill said on Friday.
Here are the cap and financial ramifications of keeping or trading Hill.
▪ With Duck sidelined by the ankle injury, Sunday could mark the start of a Douglas/Jack Jones/Jason Marshall Jr. first-team cornerback unit, when Miami plays three corners.
Defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver said he was “very pleased with how Jack played” against the Colts. “I thought Jack went out there, competed, was spot-on on his assignments, majority of the time. And he’s just a juice guy. Inevitably, he’s going to find the ball. It’s just what he does.”
Douglas, who took all the snaps at the other boundary corner spot after Duck’s injury, “certainly, didn’t plan on playing him that much,” Weaver said. “I think it’s harder, particularly for an older player, just to come off the bench. He did a great job when he was in there. There’s still some scheme things that sometimes get lost just because it’s all new verbiage for him. But he’s a pro, and he’s leaps and bounds ahead of where a rookie would be at this particular point.”
Marshall said he was nervous on the first snap of his first regular season game. Is he comfortable in the slot after playing mostly on the boundary at UF?
“I feel it’s in between,” he said. “Comfortable enough to where I can play at a fast and high level. But I’m still learning.”
Armstrong also is now an option to take first-team nickel snaps.
Stadium changes
As the Dolphins open their home schedule on Sunday, the team conveyed several messages for fans planning to attend games. Here they are, directly from the team:
1). The Dolphins will run a complimentary shuttle service to and from Hard Rock Stadium before and after games. (The team identifies the shuttle as the Geico HRS Express.) Fans can arrive at Lot 70 (Seminole Hard Rock Hotel) or Lot 95 (Golden Glades Parking Garage) and hop on the shuttle for direct access to and from the stadium. Fans can purchase a $10 parking pass at Lot 70 or Lot 95 and ride the shuttle at no charge to and from the stadium.
2). The Dolphins say they “strongly encourage rideshare users to take the” shuttle. Last season, nearly 10% of fans attending games used the shuttle.
3). For Sunday, fans are encouraged to dress in all white. The team store at the stadium sells white gear.
4). The stadium has added seven new cashierless concession stands, bringing the total around the stadium to eight. There’s also a cashierless team store. The team notes that the concession process averaged 62 seconds during the UM-Notre Dame game earlier this month. The eight locations are split between the 100 and 300-level concourses: 100 Level: Sections 117, 122, 142 and 150 – the cashierless team store is located by Section 120. 300 Level: Sections 317, 329, 345 and 347.
5). The Dolphins have created “the 305 and 954 Social Clubs.”
The team says they “provide vibrant and energetic atmospheres for up to 160 fans (21+) to catch the action on the field, while socializing with people of similar ages. Fans will enjoy drink specials in the social, bar-style terrace and atmosphere with both seated and standing room areas.”
Tickets for the 305 and 954 Social Clubs start at $95. That cost also includes a postgame shuttle, directly to Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale or Brickell Avenue in Miami.
This story was originally published September 13, 2025 at 4:06 PM.
