News, notes, observations from the Dolphins' Wednesday practice session. Who impressed

Miami Herald

7 days ago

Notes and observations from Wednesday's Dolphins OTA session, the first of five practices that will be open to reporters over the next 15 days before the team adjourns for time off before training camp:
▪ Cam Smith, the former second-round pick, was smoked by Jaylen Waddle on a 60-yard touchdown, then grabbed his quad at the end of the play. He was limping noticeably, left briefly and then returned.
Smith has battled injuries and performed unevenly during two seasons with the team and the Dolphins have put him on notice that he must perform. Miami has been counting on him to help fill a void at corner; whether he can remains to be seen.
▪ Austin Jackson, coming off knee surgery last November, was working at right tackle -- an encouraging sign. The one remaining health question on the offensive line will be whether new guard James Daniels, off a Week 4 torn Achilles, will be ready for training camp.
▪ Receiver Tyreek Hill, coming off two offseason wrist procedures, was training on his own doing 7 on 7 work and also doing a juggling drill with De'Von Achane that clearly showed he doesn't have a good mastery of the hand yet.
Hill, whose right wrist is heavily taped, will be ready for camp, his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, has said on his TV segment.
▪ Tua Tagovailoa completed a 30-yard pass to Jaylen Waddle, who had two 30-plus yard catches and was the most impactful receiver working with Tagovailoa on Wednesday. Waddle did his damage against Cam Smith, Storm Duck and Ethan Bonner.
Waddle and Bradley Chubb were arguably the top performers Wednesday.
▪ Chubb, who hasn't played in a game in 17 month, sacked new No. 2 quarterback Zach Wilson twice, including once while being blocked by Ryan Hayes. He's rounding into form after major knee injuries.
▪ Second-year edge player Chop Robinson had a good day, including at least one sack.
▪ Duck, one of several players competing for a bigger job after the release of Kendall Fuller and the inevitable forthcoming trade of Jalen Ramsey, wore the orange jersey given to the previous day's practice standout.
Edge player Jaelan Phillips and cornerback Ethan Bonner wore the orange jerseys on Tuesday.
▪ There will be some growing pains for rookie second-round pick Jonah Savaiinaea. Matt Dickerson beat him for a sack.
▪ Receiver Tajh Washington, the 2024 seventh-round pick, was in a red non-contact jersey. He missed all of last season with an injury sustained during the summer.
▪ Tight end Tanner Connor, whose season ended prematurely last year due to injury, had a nice reception from Tagovailoa in 7 on 7 drills. Isaiah Johnson was in coverage. Veteran Jonnu Smith wasn't working Wednesday, so there were plenty of opportunities for the other tight ends.
▪ Besides Smith and Ramsey (who is no longer around the team), defensive linemen Zach Sieler also wasn't spotted, but these workouts are voluntary.
▪ Veteran running back Alexander Mattison, signed as a free agent in March, had a nice run after a catch from Zach Wilson on an outlet pass that he could have run for a touchdown if the play hadn't been stopped. Linebacker Willie Gay Jr. was vicitimized in coverage on that play.
▪ Rookie running back Ollie Gordon III has good speed and showed an ability to turn a corner on outside runs.
▪ Wilson completed a pass to Dee Eskridge, who made a nice one-handed catch with cornerback Kendall Sheffield in coverage. But Wilson also threw two poor passes.
▪ Safety Elijah Campbell stripped running back Jaylen Wright on a carry.
▪ Jaelan Phillips, off last September's knee injury, didn't participate in team work but has been involved in practice, Mike McDaniel said.
▪ Grayson Murphy, the former UCLA edge rusher who missed his rookie season last year due to injury, had a nice pressure on No. 4 quarterback Brett Gabbert, flushing him out of the pocket.
Miami Herald sports writers Omar Kelly and C. Isaiah Smalls III reported from the team's practice site in Miami Gardens.