MIAMI GARDENS — Dolphins running back De’Von Achane (shoulder) and right tackle Austin Jackson (foot), who didn’t participate in drills during organized team activities the last two weeks, did individual drills in Tuesday’s minicamp. On the other end of the spectrum, defensive tackle Zach Sieler didn’t participate in minicamp drills and was spotted working on the side with a trainer.

Neither Achane nor Jackson did team drills.

At the same time, wide receiver Chris Bell, the rookie third-round pick who is recovering from a November knee injury, worked on the side with a trainer but was much more aggressive in rehabilitation drills Tuesday in front of the media than he was in OTAs the previous two weeks.

Bell, wearing a sleeve on his left leg, went through his drills fairly effortlessly. 

Tuesday’s minicamp practice was the first of three such sessions this week that are open to the media but closed to the public.

Achane said last week that his shoulder was “good” and that he anticipated being back for training camp. Jackson hasn’t yet spoken to the media during the offseason program.

Both Achane and Jackson looked OK physically during drills, meaning they seemed to have good feet and didn’t fatigue quickly. 

Their schedule for the final two days of minicamp is unclear.

Zach Thomas, Dave Wannstedt at minicamp

Among Dolphins notables at Tuesday’s minicamp practice were Zach Thomas, Miami’s Hall of Fame linebacker, ex-Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt, ex-defensive end Trace Armstrong, who is an agent and represents Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley, and ex-safety Louis Oliver.

At one point, Wannstedt, Thomas, Armstrong and quarterback Dan Marino, who were together on the 1999 Dolphins, were gathered and chatting.

Weather report

Cloudy conditions kept Tuesday’s minicamp session at a tolerable level. The actual temperature was 87 degrees with a “feels like” temperature of 91. There was a gentle, cooling breeze of 5 miles per hour from northwest. So far it’s been the coolest day of the offseason workouts that the media was available to watch.

Observations

— The Dolphins had referees at Tuesday’s practice. They didn’t have referees at OTAs. The previous regime usually didn’t have referees until training camp. 

— QB Malik Willis overthrew his receiver and CB JuJu Brents recorded an interception on the first play of 7 on 7. But Willis got better as practice progressed.

— TE Greg Dulcich dropped a wide open pass on the second play of 7 on 7 drills. Receivers dropped passes early in Tuesday practice in drills without a defender. They improved as practice progressed.

— QB Cam Miller, who throws a nice ball, had a rocket of a throw to WR Donaven McCulley during 7 on 7 drills.

— LB Jackson Woodard had a nice defense on RB Carlos Washington on a short pass from Miller. Woodard has flashed numerous times and is climbing the depth chart.

— Willis had a nice throw of about 20 yards to WR Jalen Tolbert during 11 on 11s. Willis’ accuracy was better after a rough day of OTAs last week. 

— Veteran linebacker Willie Gay Jr., known for letting out a loud yell when the players first take the practice field, is at it again. Gay yelled Tuesday as the players took the field after doing their stretching indoors.

— Edge rusher Cameron Goode worked on the side with trainers just as he’s done since OTAs. His ailment isn’t known.

— Kicker Riley Patterson, the incumbent, and Zane Gonzalez, the challenger, each attempted and made four field goals to start practice, hitting from roughly 35, 40, 45 and 50 yards.

— TE Cole Turner worked on the wide with trainers. His ailment is unknown.

— TE Ben Sims was also working on the side with trainers.

— LB Jordyn Brooks, as is his pattern, did drills by himself and with linebacker coach Joe Barry during the special teams period of practice. Brooks often works on interceptions, footwork and technique when doing drills alone.

— DE Robert Beal Jr. participated in drills Tuesday after working on the wide for most of OTAs.

— OT Carter Warren wasn’t spotted Tuesday. Warren appeared to have problems with the heat during last week’s OTAs.

— WR Tahj Washington, the 2025 seventh-round pick whose career has been slowed by injuries, worked on the side with trainers Tuesday.

— LG Kadyn Proctor, the 2026 first-round pick, had a couple of spirited battles against DT Kenneth Grant, the 2025 first-round pick, during 11 on 11s. Neither seemed to have a noticeable advantage.

— Grant continues to look good in individual drills, showing aggression, good hands and good feet. Grant, who got more action with Sieler not practicing, certainly looks better in individual drills than he did late last season.

— CB Chris Johnson, the 2025 first-round pick, had a nice pass breakup against WR Jalen Tolbert on a pass from Willis. Johnson has had a low-key offseason as far as splashy plays but he’s been steady.

— LB Jacob Rodrigiuez, the rookie second-round pick, pressured the QB and might have had a sack as he blew past RB Ollie Gordon II in pass protection during 11 on 11.

— OT Charlie Heck did a nice job of pass protection against DE Mason Reiger, the undrafted rookie from Wisconsin. Heck has a chance to win a backup job. 

Stock up

QB Malik Willis

Willis didn’t repeat the same mistakes he made in last week’s OTAs, which is a true sign of learning and improvement. His throws still had zip and conviction, and for the most part they were tight spirals. The most encouraging aspect was that they went to the intended receivers unlike much of last week’s OTAs.

Stock down

Willie Gay Jr.

It’s not that Gay has been bad, but he hasn’t flashed enough on a team that seems anxious to play some of its young LBs such as Jacob Rodriguez, Trey Moore and Kyle Louis.