Dolphins hold first training camp practice: stock up, down

MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Dolphins took the practice field for the first time at 2026 training camp under new coach Jeff Hafley on Wednesday.

The energy was palpable from the start, as linebacker Willie Gay Jr. let out his patented high-pitched scream as the team went outside to the practice fields from starting off with stretch inside.

Players went through various individual position drills and then proceeded to the team setting, working exclusively in the 11-on-11 setting with Hafley opting to go without 7-on-7 work on Day 1.

As running back De’Von Achane and right tackle Austin Jackson advanced back to team drills to start camp after being held out of those during OTAs, which coach Hafley said Tuesday would happen, the Dolphins had several others return to practice to start camp.

Offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer, wide receiver Caleb Douglas and edge rushers Robert Beal Jr. and Cameron Goode were all back to practicing after they were either rehabbing injuries during the offseason workout program or injured during OTAs and minicamp. Salyer, though, appeared to get poked in the eye on one play.

As it was the first practice of camp Wednesday, pads were not yet worn. So, the physicality of drills was limited but still present in small pockets.

Observations

— LB Willie Gay Jr. made the highlight play of practice, breaking on a route to the sideline from his linebacker post and snagging the interception with one hand on the throw from QB Cam Miller. Gay had open field in front of him for a pick-six.

— QB Malik Willis didn’t do anything spectacular but also avoided mistakes. He had some zip on a short out pattern to the rookie Douglas, who showed he can quickly turn up the field once the ball is in his hands. Douglas later elevated to snag a pass against CB JuJu Brents.

— At one point, Willis got it going with the tight ends, completing consecutive passes to Ben Sims and Greg Dulcich.

— Edge Chop Robinson pressured Willis on his first pass, which was broken up by Brents.

— CB Jason Marshall Jr. broke up a pass later in practice.

— Willis’ first completion in the team setting of practice went to rookie slot WR Kevin Coleman Jr. off play-action with Coleman crossing on an intermediate route.

— Rookie S Michael Taaffe intercepted QB Quinn Ewers in a Texas-on-Texas play. Ewers then threw what should have been another interception one throw later, but it was dropped by CB Ethan Bonner. As the team switched to No. 3 QB Miller after, Alex Austin had a ball thrown right at him and dropped it.

— The Dolphins had early inside-run plays in 11-on-11. Achane was stuffed on the right side, but Jaylen Wright found running room on the left side later. Achane didn’t take many more team reps in his first practice, as conserving his body should be a priority.

— Ewers picked up right where he left off with his chemistry with WR Theo Wease Jr., finding him over the middle on his first pass of camp. Ewers later connected with veteran WR Jalen Reagor.

— Edge Goode and DT Matthew Butler converged on Ewers for a practice sack.

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— There was a play where RB Ollie Gordon II had the ball punched from him on a carry. DE David Ojabo may have forced the fumble, as he received the congratulations after.

— Gordon came back with a vengeance the next play, hitting a hole to the left side with conviction.

— Rookie TE Seydou Traore made a catch early in drills from Miller.

— RB Carlos Washington Jr. showed a nice burst in space through the right side on a handoff.

— DT Jordan Phillips was flagged for encroachment on one play.

— The team went through a brief turnover forcing/prevention period early in practice. Skill players worked on ball security with teammates trying to punch the ball out. Defenders drilled forcing the ball out in different ways conducive to positions they figure to be in either on the defensive line, at linebacker or in the secondary.

— Hafley, who has a background in coaching defensive backs and was a defensive coordinator with Green Bay before landing the head job in Miami, spent time with both sides of the ball, but he watched cornerback footwork very closely during one individual period.

— WR Malik Washington was seen bobbling a punt return with no one running at him during a special teams period. He still secured the football, but the bobble occurred for long enough that an oncoming defender could’ve dislodged the football in a collision.

— WR Chris Bell and CB Darrell Baker Jr. were seen watching practice on the side as Bell is on the non-football injury list and Baker is on the physically-unable-to-perform list. They weren’t actively doing rehab assignments during practice, but may have done their physical work prior to drills. Baker watched attentively during at least one cornerback drill, mimicking motions of the players involved in the drill.

— New Dolphins DE Clelin Ferrell is wearing No. 98 with the team.

Stock up

LB Willie Gay Jr. started off camp just how he did last year, making plays in practice. After being a standout in his first camp with the Dolphins, Gay made the biggest play Wednesday, picking off a pass with one hand.

Stock down

If QB Quinn Ewers wants to push Malik Willis and give Dolphins management something to think about instead of just crowning Willis the starter, it wasn’t a good start. He threw an interception to former Texas teammate Michael Taaffe and followed it up by throwing a would-be interception that was dropped by Ethan Bonner.

During the first day of training camp for the Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis throws the ball under the watchful eye coach Jeff Hafley at the Baptist Health Training Complex on Wednesday. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

During the first day of training camp for the Miami Dolphins Chop Robinson warms up at the Baptist Health Training Complex on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

During the first day of training camp for the Miami Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley watches his team at the Baptist Health Training Complex on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

During the first day of training camp for the Miami Dolphins AJ Henning catches the ball at the Baptist Health Training Complex on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

During the first day of training camp for the Miami Dolphins Marco Wilson goes through drills at the Baptist Health Training Complex on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

During the first day of training camp for the Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis pauses at the Baptist Health Training Complex on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

During the first day of training camp for the Miami Dolphins Kevin Coleman Jr. catches the ball at the Baptist Health Training Complex on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

During the first day of training camp for the Miami Dolphins De’Von Achane tosses the ball at the Baptist Health Training Complex on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

During the first day of training camp for the Miami Dolphins Chop Robinson warms up at the Baptist Health Training Complex on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

During the first day of training camp for the Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis greets his teammates at the Baptist Health Training Complex on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

During the first day of training camp for the Miami Dolphins players gather for a water break at the Baptist Health Training Complex on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

During the first day of training camp for the Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis throws the ball at the Baptist Health Training Complex on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

During the first day of training camp for the Miami Dolphins quarterback Mark Gronowski throws the ball at the Baptist Health Training Complex on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

During the first day of training camp for the Miami Dolphins players gather at the Baptist Health Training Complex on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

During the first day of training camp for the Miami Dolphins Zach Sieler warms up at the Baptist Health Training Complex on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

During the first day of training camp for the Miami Dolphins Terrace Marshall Jr. tries to catch the ball at the Baptist Health Training Complex on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

During the first day of training camp for the Miami Dolphins quarterbacks go through drills at the Baptist Health Training Complex on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

During the first day of training camp for the Miami Dolphins AJ Henning catches the ball at the Baptist Health Training Complex on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

During the first day of training camp for the Miami Dolphins Jordyn Brooks warms up at the Baptist Health Training Complex on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

During the first day of training camp for the Miami Dolphins Caleb Douglas catches the ball at the Baptist Health Training Complex on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

During the first day of training camp for the Miami Dolphins Charlie Heck and Patrick Paul warm up at the Baptist Health Training Complex on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

During the first day of training camp for the Miami Dolphins players go through drills at the Baptist Health Training Complex on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

During the first day of training camp for the Miami Dolphins Jalen Tolbert goes through drills at the Baptist Health Training Complex on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

During the first day of training camp for the Miami Dolphins Malik Washington runs with the ball at the Baptist Health Training Complex on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

During the first day of training camp for the Miami Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley cheers on his team at the Baptist Health Training Complex on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

During the first day of training camp for the Miami Dolphins Omar Brown goes through drills at the Baptist Health Training Complex on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Players gather during the first day of training camp for the Miami Dolphins at the Baptist Health Training Complex on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

During the first day of training camp for the Miami Dolphins Willie Gay Jr. warms up at the Baptist Health Training Complex on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

During the first day of training camp for the Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis prepares for practice at the Baptist Health Training Complex on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

During the first day of training camp for the Miami Dolphins AJ Henning catches the ball at the Baptist Health Training Complex on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

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