Dolphins stock report: Lions dominate Fins offensively and defensively
The Miami Dolphins' first joint practice against the Detroit Lions was nothing short of a disaster.
Defensively, the Dolphins couldn't stop the Lions offense as quarterback Jared Goff connected frequently with All-Pro receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. Offensively, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and Co. failed to find the spark to get the high-powered unit rolling. Then the injury bug bit: edge rusher Chop Robinson was carted off with an undisclosed injury.
Luckily, the Dolphins have a chance to respond Thursday.
Here's a breakdown of what happened during the Dolphins' first of two joint practices against the Lions.
Inside linebacker Jordyn Brooks: The inside linebacker was one of the few bright spots on a defense that consistently got gashed.
Brooks not only looked good in coverage, forcing at least one incompletion and stopping players short after catches, he was active in the run game. He met Lions tailback Jahmyr Gibbs in the hole to stop the two-time Pro Bowler at the line of scrimmage as well as showcased some elite open field tackling when he corralled fellow Detroit running back David Montgomery for a short gain.
The six-year veteran's best play came when he forced Montgomery to fumble after tackling the Lions tailback behind the line a scrimmage. While Montgomery recovered the ball, Brooks displayed a tenacity that was rarely seen on the field.
Brooks' only misstep was a defensive holding call on the final play of practice.
Running back De'Von Achane: Overall, the offense didn't play great.
Achane, however, showed a bit of life
During 7-on-7s, the third-year tailback caught a ball from Tagovailoa for a nice chunk of yards. Then, during team drills, he had a nice misdirection run that would've picked up significant yards.
Edge rusher Derrick McLendon: The edge rusher continued his dominant training camp against the Lions.
Not only did McLendon consistently win his reps during 1-on-1s, he got some extended run with the starters during the situational period at the end of practice when Robinson went down.
Although he didn't make a play per sey, he remained a constant presence in the backfield.
Defensive back Jack Jones: From the very beginning, Jones was chirping.
From the very beginning, Jones was chirping.
The only issue was that he didn't back it up.
St. Brown consistently torched the fourth-year corner who seemingly sought out the matchup against the three-time Pro Bowler. It didn't matter the period — 1-on-1s, 7-on-7s, 11-on-11s — if St. Brown saw Jones across from him, he cooked.
Even worse: St. Brown did it in a multitude of ways. He caught deep balls. He caught a 5-yard touchdown. And he did damage with his fair share of grabs in the intermediate as well.
As previously mentioned, Robinson was carted off although he posted on his Instagram story that he's 'good.' A source confirmed that it was not a head injury.Edge rusher Jaelan Phillips didn't suit up with an undisclosed injury.Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle was a limited participant.Wide receiver Tyreek Hill returned to practice following an oblique injury but didn't do anything competitive.Edge rusher Mo Kamara remains in concussion protocol.Right tackle Austin Jackson has a lower leg injury and is expected back by the Sept. 7 opener against the Indianapolis Colts.Safety Ashtyn Davis is out indefinitely with a leg injury.Fullback Alec Ingold remains in concussion protocol.Offensive linemen Andrew Meyer is not close to returning from an undisclosed injury.Offensive lineman Kion Smith sat out with an undisclosed injury.Offensive lineman Bayron Matos remains out with 'an above the shoulder type injury.'
'Today, offensively it was a very frustrating day in regards to what we wanted to do, what we said we wanted to do,' Tagovailoa said. 'We just weren't able to get things jumpstarted.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
Stefon Diggs already becoming ‘pain in the posterior' for Patriots with Week 1 status still unclear
The Stefon Diggs experience reportedly isn't going well in New England. Shortly after a tense exchange Thursday with Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel over the star receiver's Week 1 availability, NBC Sports Boston's Phil Perry shed a bit more light on a new marriage that's already on shaky ground. 'There are little signs that he's just becoming a bit of a pain in the posterior,' Perry said of Diggs when discussing Vrabel's outburst during the press conference on 'Quick Slants.' 'For Mike Vrabel to sort of have to be [Diggs'] public relations assistant and tell us what he really meant in his commentary to a member of the national media, I don't know if that irks Mike Vrabel or if he's just looking to go back and forth with somebody in the media.' New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (8) reacts after catching a pass during a joint NFL football training camp with the Minnesota Vikings on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025, in Eagan, Minn. AP Diggs signed a three-year, $63.5 million contract with the Patriots in free agency after suffering a torn ACL last October when he played for the Texans. This week, the four-time Pro Bowler said he feels 'great' and 'we'll see about Week 1' during an appearance on the 'Scoop City' podcast, leaving fans and media to wonder if he will be on the field when the Patriots host the Raiders on Sept. 7. Dealing with Diggs may already not be worth it for the franchise, according to Perry. 'It all sort of adds up to, there's a lot going on with this guy for a guy who doesn't look like a No. 1 receiver anymore,' Perry said. New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (8) walks to the podium to speak to the media after minicamp held in the WIN Field House at Gillette Stadium. Eric Canha-Imagn Images On NBC Sports Boston's 'Early Edition,' Perry echoed the same sentiment after being asked if Diggs is worth the 'headache.' 'How severe a headache is it? Because if we're talking a migraine, if it turns into a migraine, I'm gonna say no. I just don't think he's a No. 1 receiver at this point in time,' he said. 'Let's rephrase that: If he's a headache, in my opinion, not worth it. He's a No. 2 at this point in his career. I don't think he's going to be a thousand-yard receiver.' During the press conference on Thursday, Vrabel didn't address Diggs' comments specifically, but he noted that the veteran pass-catcher has 'been out here almost every day.' 'I'm excited of where he's at and we'll see when Week 1 comes, but he's going to practice today,' Vrabel said. 'Hopefully, he helps us in the red zone, but we can't predict the future about Week 1. I just know he's going to be out there today, and he works hard and he cares, which are two important things.'
NBC Sports
an hour ago
- NBC Sports
Jalen Ramsey: Steelers took care of me, Cam Heyward is next
Cornerback Jalen Ramsey got a raise when he joined the Steelers in a trade with the Dolphins this offseason and he'd like to see one of his new teammates get the same consideration from the team. Defensive end Cam Heyward would like to revisit a contract that calls for him to make $14.5 million for the 2025 season and has not been fully practicing as he tries to get the Steelers to agree to a change. The topic came up when Ramsey and fellow Steelers corner Darius Slay were guests on Heyward's Not Just Football podcast and Slay said that they 'stand on the table' for Heyward to get what he wants from the team. Ramsey noted that Steelers General Manager Omar Khan acquired both corners this offseason and also got a new deal done with edge rusher T.J. Watt while echoing Slay's message. 'We cant wait to be on the field with you Week 1,' Ramsey said. 'After everything goes down, everything's situated. We need all of y'all out there man, Mr. Omar. Man, got a lot of respect for you Mr. Omar. Taken care of me, TJ, Slay. Cam is next. We excited man. We got potential to do something great if we got all our guys out there happy and feeling like they're valued. I know a little something about feeling valued and getting what you deserve. I'm with you, I'm with you.' A busy Steelers offseason also included the signing of Aaron Rodgers and trades involving wide receivers DK Metcalf and George Pickens, but we'll have to wait to find out if it will also include a new deal for the longest-tenured members of the club.
Fox Sports
3 hours ago
- Fox Sports
Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury on Terry McLaurin: 'We Need to Get Guys Out There'
National Football League Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury on Terry McLaurin: 'We Need to Get Guys Out There' Published Aug. 15, 2025 3:00 p.m. ET share facebook x reddit link The Washington Commanders continue to come to work without their No. 1 wide receiver, as Terry McLaurin still hasn't agreed to a new deal with the franchise and isn't taking part in practice; offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury feels the two-time Pro Bowler's absence. "There hasn't been a ton of contact with him," Kingsbury said about his communication with McLaurin during his Friday morning media availability. "He's been here, but he's been working with trainers, so until he gets back on the grass, that's when we'll start building that back up." McLaurin, who turns 30 in September, is entering the final season of a three-year, $68.4 million deal. On the receiver front, the Cincinnati Bengals signed wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase (four-year, $161 million extension) and Tee Higgins (four-year, $115 million deal) to new deals this offseason, while the New York Jets signed Garrett Wilson to a four-year, $130 million extension, among other high-priced receiver signings across the sport. "I'm huge on walkthroughs, on practice, things like that, because until you get on the grass and actually do it and feel the timing, feel the depths, the routes and things of that nature, I don't know exactly how much you can get out of that," Kingsbury said. "So, I think we're kind of at that point to where we need to start getting those guys, when they're available, out there and jelling and seeing where we are as an offense." ADVERTISEMENT Last season, McLaurin totaled 82 receptions for 1,096 yards and a career-high 13 touchdowns. He ranked 20th among wide receivers with a 79.2 overall grade, according to Pro Football Focus. McLaurin has totaled 1,000-plus receiving yards in each of the past five seasons, averaging 76.7 receptions for 1,063.2 yards and 6.3 touchdowns per season over his six-year NFL career (2019-24). Kingsbury is entering his second season as Washington's offensive coordinator under head coach Dan Quinn, with the franchise coming off a 12-5 campaign that saw it win a playoff game for the first time in 19 years and reach the NFC Championship Game for the first time since winning Super Bowl XXVI. Rookie quarterback and No. 2 overall pick Jayden Daniels won 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. Washington hosts Cincinnati on Monday night in its Week 2 preseason game. The Commanders open the regular season at home against the NFC East-rival New York Giants on Sept. 7 (1 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app). "To me, time on task together on the grass is really the only way that you can continue to build," Kingsbury said. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience National Football League Washington Commanders Terry McLaurin What did you think of this story? share
