MIAMI GARDENS — Day 2 of Dolphins training camp was the “high” day, according to coach Jeff Hafley, meaning it’s the most repetitions players will get all week. Thursday’s practice lasted about two hours as opposed to Wednesday’s 90-minute session. Hafley said he does that to monitor the players’ workload.
“You usually have a high, a medium, and a low, so you don’t wear them out,” Hafley said. “There’s some science behind it.”
By the way, in training camp the Dolphins will usually practice three consecutive days and then take an off day.
Hafley said that’s to keep them close to a regular-season schedule. During the season teams don’t usually practice more than three consecutive days — Wednesday, Thursday and Friday — because they’re off Tuesdays.
“It’s just something that our bodies can get used to, and get them in a routine,” he said. “And I think it also allows us to recover.”
— Once again the Dolphins had nearly perfect attendance at practice, meaning everyone that was supposed to participate actually participated. CB Darrell Baker Jr. (lower body injury/physically unable to perform list), WR Chris Bell (knee/non-football injury list) and CB Storm Duck (knee/PUP) didn’t practice.
— QB Malik Willis hit WR Malik Washington for a 25-yard gain on a play-action pass in 11 on 11 drills. Willis, however, wasn’t overly impressive. Three poor plays stood out. Willis had an interception on a tipped pass. He a pass that would have been an interception except it appeared he was sacked before throwing the ball. And he had a potential interception dropped.
— LB Jacob Rodriguez, the rookie second-round pick who had two pass deflections Wednesday, appears to be climbing the depth chart already. Rodriguez shows good awareness and seems to rarely make mistakes.
— DE Chop Robinson recovered a fumble by RB De’Von Achane early in 11 on 11. On the next play, Robinson leveled RB Jaylen Wright. But…
— LT Patrick Paul threw Robinson to the ground on a pass play in 11 on 11. It was basically a pancake block. Very impressive.
— S Ronnie Harrison Jr. had an interception on Willis late in practice, but Robinson would have recorded a sack against Paul on the play. Robinson had a good day overall.
— S Zayne Anderson had an interception after WR Tutu Atwell tipped a pass. Anderson was a trusted player in Green Bay under Hafley. Willis was the QB on the play.
— WR Jalen Tolbert made a tough 15-yard reception over the middle before being hit by LB Jordyn Brooks. Tolbert has a chance to be a starter if he continues securing tough passes in that fashion.
— DE Clelin Ferrell put pressure on QB Quinn Ewers, forcing Ewers to rush a pass that RB Donovan Edwards dropped. The newly-signed Ferrell, the No. 4 pick of the 2019 draft by Las Vegas, is vying for a role as a pass rusher.
— Ewers, who had a rough day Wednesday, overthrew WR Jalen Raegor on the right sideline. A few plays later, S Michael Taaffe, who intercepted Ewers on Wednesday, dropped a potential interception.
— Through two practices, there’s been very little hostility and no threat of a fight or even a dustup. Hafley doesn’t seem to be a fan of such actions. One reason the Dolphins are only having one joint practice with opponents is because Hafley thinks the second day is prone to fighting because the team that “lost” practice the previous day is angry and looking for revenge.
— OT Gottlieb Ayedze, a United Football League (UFL) signee who played for the DC Defenders and Houston Gamblers last season, is getting significant reserve repetitions on both sides. Quality OL depth is a major question.
— S Major Burns, another UFL signee who played for Houston last season, moves smoothly and athletically in individual drills. Burns, undrafted out of LSU in 2024, has an uphill battle to make the 53-man roster. He’s behind Dante Trader Jr., Anderson, Lonnie Johnson Jr., and Taaffe.
— Kickoff returners have been practicing scooping up bouncing balls such as it would happen on a so-called “dirty ball” kickoff, which is designed to cause uncertainty for the returner. Such drills didn’t happen last season.
— DE Cameron Goode had a sack on QB Cam Miller during the first 11 on 11 session Thursday. Goode was effective against the reserves on Wednesday.
— LB Jackson Woodard, a special teams player last season, deflected a pass Thursday in 11 on 11 after deflecting a pass Wednesday. Woodard is active in pass coverage.
— LB Tyrel Dodson dropped a potential interception from Willis on Thursday. In Dodson’s defense, the ball was thrown with a lot of velocity. It would have been tough for an offensive player to catch the pass. Regardless, Dodson is fighting to keep his job from a host of rookie draftees and needs to secure such plays.
— C Aaron Brewer, an All Pro, had a high shotgun snap to Willis, who had to tip the ball to himself. Regardless, Brewer has been solid through two days, as expected.
— CB Chris Johnson, the rookie first-round pick, forced and recovered a fumble by RB Ollie Gordon II late in practice. Johnson does individual drills with cornerbacks and safeties. Hafley said because Johnson is someone who plays outside and slot he needs multiple skill sets. Hafley said it’s the same situation with rookie LB/DE Trey Moore.
— CB A.J. Green III intercepted a pass late in practice from QB Cam Miller.
— The DBs have had lots of interceptions and opportunities through two days. On Thursday, Anderson, Green and Harrison secured interceptions while Dodson and Taaffe dropped potential interceptions. Johnson and Robinson had fumble recoveries. On Wednesday, Taaffe and LB Willie Gay Jr. had interceptions and CBs Alex Austin and Ethan Bonner dropped potential interceptions.
Stock up: S Michale Taaffe
The rookie fifth-round pick had an interception Wednesday and dropped a potential interception Thursday. While dropping a ball isn’t good, Taaffe has displayed a knack for being around the ball.
Stock down: Malik Willis
Willis wasn’t bad, but he wasn’t good with an interception and another potential interception that might have been a sack before the errant throw and a potential interception dropped. It’s not a big deal for the second day of training camp, but it’s something to watch.
Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley speaks to general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan during practice at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens on Thursday, July 30, 2026. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington (6) during practice at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens on Thursday, July 30, 2026. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley observes practice at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens on Thursday, July 30, 2026. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis (2) during practice at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens on Thursday, July 30, 2026. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins players participate in practice at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens on Thursday, July 30, 2026. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins players participate in practice at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens on Thursday, July 30, 2026. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley speaks before practice at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens on Thursday, July 30, 2026. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Jordan Phillips (94) during practice at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens on Thursday, July 30, 2026. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins cornerback Chris Johnson (3) during practice at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens on Thursday, July 30, 2026. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins players participate in practice at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens on Thursday, July 30, 2026. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins players participate in practice at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens on Thursday, July 30, 2026. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins players participate in practice at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens on Thursday, July 30, 2026. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley speaks before practice at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens on Thursday, July 30, 2026. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Jordan Phillips (94) during practice at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens on Thursday, July 30, 2026. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins running back Jaylen Wright (25) after practice at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens on Thursday, July 30, 2026. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Jordan Phillips (94) after practice at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens on Thursday, July 30, 2026. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins linebacker Josh Uche (9) after practice at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens on Thursday, July 30, 2026. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington (83) after practice at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens on Thursday, July 30, 2026. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins center Aaron Brewer (55) after practice at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens on Thursday, July 30, 2026. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Show Caption
1 of 19
Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley speaks to general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan during practice at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens on Thursday, July 30, 2026. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)