Miami Dolphins CB JuJu Brents to miss rest of the season with a foot injury
Miami Dolphins breakout cornerback JuJu Brents could miss the rest of 2025 after he elected to have season-ending foot surgery, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garofolo.
The specific nature of the injury is unknown.
“We’re taking a couple more looks at it, but it doesn’t look optimistic for the season,” coach Mike McDaniel said Monday. “But before I stamp that, we’ll make sure that’s the case.”
Brents initially sustained the injury early in the fourth quarter of the Dolphins’ 16-13 win over the Washington Commanders. He had to be helped off the field and was almost immediately taken to the locker room.
This comes just one game after Brents’ breakout performance against the Buffalo Bills. Down the Dolphins’ best cornerback in Rasul Douglas, Brents stepped up and played an instrumental role in Miami’s 30-13 drubbing of the Bills.
“I ain’t new to this,” said Brents, who recovered a fumble in addition to his five tackles and pass breakup. “Since I’ve gotten here, I’ve been stacking days, having good practices. I don’t feel like I did anything different. Guys got hurt, and it was time for me to have an opportunity.”
His play earned him praise from players and coaches alike.
“He played at a high level,” safety Minkah Fitzpatrick said. “He was competitive every single throw that went his way. He did a great job communicating and relaying information.”
With Douglas once again held out due to foot and ankle injuries, Brents got his second straight start vs. the Commanders. The former Kansas State standout recorded five total tackles, two of which were solo, prior to his fourth-quarter exit.
“When players take advantage of the opportunity, they generally get more opportunities,” coach Mike McDaniel said before the team boarded the flight to play the Commanders in Spain. “Specifically with him, I thought not having a training camp and being a late addition, that he’s done a phenomenal job understanding what we’re asking, and I think he put on a display of why he’s here, and really he showed his evolution within the system so that he could be a tool and a resource for us. I think he’s earned more time on the field.”
This won’t be the first time that Brents will have to work his way back from injury. The former 2023 second-round pick made 43 tackles, snagged one interception, forced one fumble and deflected six passes during his rookie season for the Indianapolis Colts. Brents, however, played just eight games due to a hamstring and quadriceps injuries.
The 2024 season began promising as Brents looked to be the clear-cut starter. Then he sustained a broken nose that subsequently knocked him out of the preseason. A torn meniscus and MCL in the season opener would cost promising press corner the majority of the year.
Brents would return for the season finale — only to be hit with a groin injury. The lack of availability ultimately led to his release from the Colts in September. Miami would claim him soon after he cleared the waivers.
Injuries have somewhat decimated the Dolphins’ cornerback room since the start of the season. Archie Burns tore his ACL on the first day of training camp. A few days later, Kader Kohou suffered the same fate. In late October, second-year cornerback Storm Duck had a season-ending knee surgery. Even rookie cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. missed some time with a hamstring injury.
With Brents done for the year, expect Marshall and Ethan Bonner to become viable options to back up Douglas if the veteran cornerback’s injuries have not healed after the bye week.
This story was originally published November 17, 2025 at 11:23 AM.
