Dolphins 2025 Camp Day 1: McDaniel Media Session Highlights Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel spoke to the media ahead of the first practice of training camp for 2025. Alain Poupart Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel / Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Here were the highlights of McDaniel's media session: INJURY AND STATUS UPDATES -- Liam Eichenberg is weeks away from being ready, but McDaniel says he's not putting a timeline on it. McDaniel adds it's not a season-ender. -- The injury to new DB Ifeatu Melifonwu is not significant. -- McDaniel, as expected, didn't want to touch on the topic of whether Zach Sieler would be practicing as he looks for a new contract. -- Darren Waller was placed on PUP because, as McDaniel says, it's standard procedure for players coming out of retirement. While he says Waller is in great shape, there's a "0 to 60 element" that he tries to avoid. THOUGHTS ON THE STEELERS TRADE, TYREEK -- McDaniel says Minkah Fitzpatrick is a "real good fit" schematically and has elite ball skills and leadership. "He couldn't get in the 29 jersey fast enough." -- Related to Tyreek Hill's comments Tuesday that he's taken a new approach this year, McDaniel says he's always looking for growth. "My expectation for myself is that I'm never a finished product," McDaniel says he can't expect players to develop if he's not developing himself. -- McDaniel clearly still isn't interested in talking about Jalen Ramsey. When asked how the trade with the Steelers will change the dynamics of the secondary, McDaniel just talks about what he likes about Fitzpatrick and the only comment regarding Ramsey was that "he's a Steeler." -- McDaniel relayed that Tua told him his first interaction with Fitzpatrick at Alabama involved conditioning work and how crazy the normally low-key Minkah was. CORNERBACK QUESTION -- The question of adding a cornerback came up and McDaniel mentions that one way to get better is through player improvement. This is nothing new in the Dolphins approach, though we easily can question how well that has worked out in the past. -- The Dolphins are starting practices much earlier this summer, and McDaniel said the adjustment was made because of the weather and keeping in mind the players' bodies (and soft-tissue injuries). Also mentioned the joint practices coming up and wanting to have "all hands on deck" for that work with the Bears and Lions. "It was very thought out, and I'm excited for the lack of traffic. You're welcome." -- Regarding newcomer Daniel Brunskill, whom he coached as an assistant in San Francisco, McDaniel said he's always enjoying keeping track of players' journeys and development. "I know one thing about the dude: he's going to be overprepared." -- Tyreek said Tuesday he's planning on giving the Dolphins the best version of himself in 2025, and McDaniel says that his offseason work has exemplified that. "Humble, accountable, deliberate, intentional daily focus, that's what we're looking for." -- Regarding the addition of Darren Waller, McDaniel says he knows a lot more about him based on his relationship with OC Frank Smith, who coached Waller with the Raiders and who Waller mentioned as a favorite of his.
McDaniel says Dolphins open to adding cornerback; provides updates on Eichenberg, Sieler Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, at the team's first training camp practice, said the Dolphins are still open to adding a free agent cornerback. He is pictured talking to the media before the mandatory minicamp at Hard Rock Stadium on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) By David Furones | dfurones@sunsentinel.com | South Florida Sun Sentinel UPDATED: July 23, 2025 at 8:59 AM EDT MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Dolphins have said, all offseason, they’re in the market for a starting-caliber free agent cornerback. Many of those same cornerbacks who were available after the draft are still there for the taking as teams across the NFL are starting training camp, with the Dolphins’ first practice Wednesday. Ahead of that opening session of 2025 training camp, Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said it’s still possible the team brings in one of those remaining free agents. “Are we resisting getting better? We’re not resisting getting better,” McDaniel said, adding he and the coaches hold a strong belief in the young group Miami has at the position. “We’re confident in the group. That being said, not closing the door on anything.” Top veteran cornerbacks still available include Asante Samuel Jr., Rasul Douglas, James Bradberry, Stephon Gilmore and former Dolphins Xavien Howard and Kendall Fuller. The Dolphins traded former cornerback Jalen Ramsey to the Pittsburgh Steelers weeks ago and, in part, got safety Minkah Fitzpatrick back in return. “I’m elated to add Minkah to the team,” McDaniel said, while offering little to wrap up Ramsey’s time in Miami. “Jalen Ramsey is a Steeler. I prefer to talk about Dolphins.” The Dolphins open training camp with a cornerback group of: Kader Kohou, Cam Smith, Storm Duck, Kendall Sheffield, Artie Burns, Jason Marshall Jr., Ethan Bonner, Isaiah Johnson, BJ Adams, Ethan Robinson and Ryan Cooper Jr. Injury updates McDaniel offered information on why offensive lineman Liam Eichenberg and tight end Darren Waller are starting camp on the physically-unable-to-perform list, with safety Ifeatu Melifonwu on the non-football injury list. Eichenberg, the versatile lineman who has played all five positions in his first four seasons with the Dolphins, will be out for multiple weeks, according to McDaniel, who did not reveal his specific injury. McDaniel was not putting any further timeline on his recovery or making a determination on his status for the regular season. Melifonwu is a preventative measure, according to McDaniel. Both he and Eichenberg participated in organized team activities and mandatory minicamp more than a month ago. Waller, according to McDaniel, has shown up in great shape, but the coach said he doesn’t want to rush him into football drills immediately out of retirement. Sieler update With Dolphins defensive tackle Zach Sieler seeking a new contract this camp, McDaniel said he’s “expecting him to play football.” Sieler, who turns 30 Sept. 7, has put together back-to-back 10-sack seasons and has outplayed the extension he signed two years ago. Last Sunday, Sieler’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said on WSVN his client would participate in practice and not hold-in, but it’s unknown if he will do team drills.
Travis Wingfield Day 1 is a wrap, just a few notes: Jaylen Wright picked up where he left off in the spring. He presses the hole then wins with speed against a condensed defender so nicely. I was marveling over Jonah Savaiinaea and James Daniels’ get-off in Indys. They were also sharp in a stunt pick up drill. Patrick Paul had one of the best days for my money. Had convincing wins on Chop and Chubb Defensively, the usual suspects had plays. I had Chubb with a sack and a TFL. Sieler and Brooks had TFLs. Tanner Conner looked fast and dangerous as a runner after the catch Erik Ezukanma made two big plays including a possible TD after a nice ball on a slant from Wilson Tua got it out quick and on target. He got some chunk gains to Waddle That’s all for now. We’ve got media coming up here and I’ll have the pod and notebook this afternoon/evening.
Dolphins 2025 Camp: Practice 1 Recap Alain Poupart The Miami Dolphins conducted their first practice of the 2025 training camp Wednesday. One notable addition at the Baptist Health Training Complex is a set of six gigantic fans in the bleachers, which no doubt will be welcomed by the team's fans. Something new for a first camp practice was the presence of a couple of officials. Those usually don't show up until a few practices into camp. Along with the three players on injury lists — Liam Eichenberg, Darren Waller and Ifeatu Melifonwu — center Aaron Brewer was missing from practice. Cornerback Artie Burns was at practice, but left early. And practice ended with tackle Bayron Matos sustaining what could be a significant injury. After stretching inside as they often do, the Dolphins began practice indoors because of the weather and potential lightning in the area before going outside in the rain. PRACTICE OBSERVATIONS -- The first noteworthy play of practice came in a 7-on-7 session when rookie QB Quinn Ewers completed a pass down the left sideline to tight end Hayden Rucci for about 15-20 yards. -- Zach Sieler, who is looking for a new contract, took part in the 11-on-11 work. In fact, he got penetration on a running play right off the bat. -- Veteran free agent pick-up James Daniels committed a false start on back-to-back snaps. Remember that he didn't take part in 11-on-11 work in the offseason as he continued to work his way back from his 2024 Achilles injury. -- Linebacker Willie Gay Jr., who we've told you to watch as a surprise major contributor, met Jaylen Wright in the backfield as soon he got a handoff. -- The second set of 11-on-11 work began with a nifty completion over the middle from Tua Tagovailoa to Jaylen Waddle. -- Jaelan Phillips and Chop Robinson both got pressure on Tagovailoa on a pass play. -- Zach Wilson showed great ball placement on a throw over the middle (and over a linebacker) to Erik Ezukanma. -- Mohamed Kamara, looking to make a jump after a disappointing rookie season, jumped offside on a pass play. -- Malik Washington, who looked really good in the spring, had a nice diving catch on a pass from Tua over the middle. -- Tight end Tanner Conner fumbled after catching a pass from Quinn Ewers while running down the field and having the ball punched out from behind. CB Cam Smith recovered the fumble.
Here’s what happened at Day 1 of Dolphins training camp: News, highlights By Barry Jackson , Omar Kelly and C. Isaiah Smalls II Updated July 23, 2025 11:52 AM 00:15 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. Also, cornerback Artie Burns Jr. left the facility on crutches. 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. Read more at: https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nfl/miami-dolphins/article309892880.html#storylink=cpy
