Several Miami Dolphins players were sidelined during Thursday’s practice against the Washington team. Notably absent were running back Jeff Wilson Jr., wide receivers Jaylen Waddle and Anthony Schwartz, tight end Tanner Conner, center Aaron Brewer, defensive tackles Neville Gallimore and Benito Jones, linebackers Anthony Walker Jr. and David Long Jr., cornerbacks Ethan Bonner and Jalen Ramsey, and safeties Jevon Holland and Jordan Poyer. Tackle Terron Armstead was present but did not engage in practice activities, similar to the previous week’s sessions with Atlanta.
In a notable appearance, cornerback Kendall Fuller, a recent Dolphins acquisition as an unrestricted free agent from Washington, was visibly decked out in an orange jersey. The practice session overall seemed to lean slightly in Washington’s favor in terms of performance.
Delving into the specifics, the Miami defense faced challenges, especially from Washington’s rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, who threw five touchdown passes during the red zone drills early in the session. A particularly good defensive play came from Dolphins’ second-year cornerback Cam Smith, who effectively covered Olamide Zaccheaus. However, Kendall Fuller faced some challenges, notably getting outmaneuvered by Terry McLaurin for a touchdown.
Miami’s defense showed varied performance with cornerback Kader Kohou stepping up in run support and coverage, while new linebacker Wyatt Ryan positioned himself well against a jet sweep play. The defensive team struggled to pressure Washington’s quarterbacks without additional rush strategies, but they managed one interception during the session.
On the offensive side, Miami’s activity included a few missed opportunities and strong defensive plays by Washington. Wide receiver Erik Ezukanma missed a straightforward touchdown pass, while quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was sacked but managed to deliver a touchdown in a subsequent play. The offense demonstrated some progress with several completed passes and attempts in red zone scenarios and from midfield, despite some interruptions from Washington’s defense.
The practice sessions wrapped up indoors with a simulated two-minute drill. Tua Tagovailoa executed a sharp throw to Malik Washington, and kicker Jason Sanders successfully completed a 54-yard field goal. The session concluded with Kendall Fuller intercepting a pass intended for Terry McLaurin, marking a high point against his former team.
As the Dolphins continue their training camp, they are slated for more joint practice sessions leading up to their preseason games, with sessions planned across several more days in August.
