Dolphins activate Marshall and elevate two players for Ravens game
Rookie cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. returned to the Dolphins’ 53-man roster on Thursday when he was activated off injured reserve after missing five games with a hamstring issue.
Marshall, who will be available for Thursday’s home game against Baltimore (8:20 p.m., Amazon Prime, CBS 4), fills the roster spot of cornerback Storm Duck, who was placed on injured reserve earlier this week after sustaining a season-ending knee injury in the win against Atlanta.
The Dolphins also elevated two players from their practice squad for Thursday’s game: tight end Hayden Rucci (who made his NFL debut against Atlanta) and cornerback Isaiah Johnson, who played 13 snaps (all on special teams) in his one previous NFL appearance earlier this month against the Chargers. It’s the second of three permitted elevations for both players.
Marshall began the season as the Dolphins’ primary slot cornerback but allowed all seven passes in his coverage area to be caught for 88 yards and a touchdown, which equals a 158.3 passer rating in his coverage area, the highest rating that a quarterback can achieve.
He played 63 defensive snaps and 15 special teams snaps over three games before going on IR.
Cornell Armstrong initially replaced him but also injured a hamstring and was subsequently waived. Minkah Fitzpatrick and other safeties have handled some of the Dolphins’ slot cornerback duties in Marshall’s absence.
Defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver said two weeks that Marshall would go back to his nickel cornerback role when he was healthy, which would allow Fitzpatrick to play more safety.
On Thursday, the Dolphins are expected to be without safety Ashtyn Davis, who is doubtful with a quadriceps injury.
Tight end Julian Hill, who has started all seven of his appearances this season, will miss a second game in a row with an ankle injury.
Starting offensive linemen Austin Jackson and James Daniels remain on injured reserve and haven’t yet begun practicing.
The Dolphins listed four players as questionable for Thursday: linebacker Bradley Chubb (shoulder/foot), receiver Dee Eskridge (shoulder), safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (thumb) and cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. (hamstring).
Chubb was limited in Wednesday’s practice; the other three practiced fully. Chubb and Mike McDaniel told reporters on Tuesday that Chubb is expected to play Thursday, while Eskridge said he also plans to play.
Melifonwu returned to last Sunday’s game against Atlanta after sustaining the thumb injury.
Here’s a 6-pack of Dolphins notes, including some clarity on the issue of Tua Tagovailoa running.
This story was originally published October 30, 2025 at 4:03 PM.
