MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins cornerback JuJu Brents, arguably the team’s best defensive back, wasn’t spotted at Saturday’s practice at Hard Rock Stadium. It’s not known why Brents wasn’t at practice. Coach Jeff Hafley didn’t speak to the media Saturday. His next availability is Monday. The Dolphins are off on Sunday.

Saturday’s practice, the ninth of training camp, was the first practice in which the Dolphins tackled to the ground although they didn’t tackle to the ground during every 11-on-11 drill. For example, they didn’t tackle to the ground during the red zone 11-on-11 period. But they did tackle to the ground during the first 11 on 11.

Brents’ absence meant the secondary was missing two likely starters because safety Dante Trader Jr. was absent. That offered opportunities for cornerbacks Ethan Bonner and rookie safety Michael Taaffe, among others. Newly-signed safety Tanner Wall got some looks with the third team in the red zone 11-on-11 period.

Other notable Dolphins players that missed Saturday’s practice were guard/tackle Jamaree Salyer, wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr., tight end Ben Sims, safety Lonnie Johnson Jr., and edge rusher Clelin Ferrell. Tight end Greg Dulcich was again wearing the red jersey, symbolic of no contact.

Overall it was a spirited practice on a sunny day before an estimated crowd of 2,000, which is a decent training camp gathering.

Tackling to the ground was brief, but enjoyable

Hafley said the Dolphins would tackle to the ground in training camp, and they did Saturday, much to the delight of players. No one got “lit up,” so to speak, meaning absorbing a big hit, but there was physical play, especially on the offensive and defensive lines.

“We were just battling back to back, getting on each other, competing with each other, talking trash with each other, just, again, just having fun, ” edge rusher Chop Robinson said.

Fight means an ejection

The Dolphins haven’t had any fights in practice yet, partly because it leads to an automatic ejection. Players push their emotions just to the edge of fighting and then stop, by order of Hafley.

“That’s what Haf wants us to do,” center Aaron Brewer said. “You throw a punch, you’re out of practice. So ain’t nobody tryin’ to get thrown out practice. So it’ll probably get intense, but ain’t nobody fightin’. You’ll probably get a push, but ain’t nobody throwing no punches. We’re tryin’ to practice.”

Defensive draftees shine

The red zone 11-on-11 period featured young defenders making statements both, loud and quiet. Rookie cornerback Chris Johnson, the 2026 first-round draftee who normally plays nickel/slot, continues getting looks with the starters on the outside. And defensive tackles Kenneth Grant, Jordan Phillips and Zeek Biggers, all 2025 draftees, were on the defensive line for a stop made by rookie linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, the 2026 second-round pick.

Later in that series Johnson showed blanket coverage on wide receiver Jalen Tolbert on second-and-goal from the 2-yard line, which made quarterback Malik Willis go to another look in the progression. Willis ended up running right. Hafley continues to mix up looks among starters on both sides of the ball. The Dolphins have utilized numerous combinations in numerous situations so far.

Special teams notes

Special teams coach Chris Tabor has identified the traits he wants in his punt returners — an ability to make people miss and create. To that end among the candidates are wide receiver Malik Washington, who handled the job last year, running back Ollie Gordon II, and wide receivers Tutu Atwell and AJ Henning.

The Dolphins are experimenting with a burly “up man,” or blocker in front of the kickoff returner including center Andrew Meyer, Biggers and defensive tackle Matthew Butler.

Keep an eye on Louis Moore

Safety Louis Moore, who had an interception Friday, is making a habit of being noticed in camp. Moore, the undrafted rookie from national champion Indiana, didn’t have any standout plays Saturday but he’s usually noticed for his aggression in pass coverage and run support. Moore will likely push for a spot on the 53-man regular season roster or practice squad.

“What jumps out to you about him is he’s tenacious, he’s a football player,” veteran safety Zayne Anderson said. “You can just see his aggression. He can cover, he’s physical. I think he’s going to be a dog on special teams. I think he could play a huge role on defense from an early start.”

The Dolphins are talent-challenged at safety but they continue searching. They signed Tanner Wall on Friday while waiving/injured safety Omar Brown.

Most likely Moore will have to fight for a spot on the 53-man roster behind projected starting safeties Anderson and Trader, and reserves Johnson, Taaffe and Major Burns, the UFL (United Football League) standout.

The Dolphins also claimed cornerback Ahmari Harvey on Friday off waivers from the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Gronowski cut

Undrafted rookie quarterback Mark Gronowski did not make it to the first preseason game at Miami Dolphins training camp.

The former Iowa and South Dakota State quarterback was waived Friday evening after consistent struggles in camp.

Earlier Friday, Gronowski was intercepted twice in practice, one which could’ve gone for a touchdown the other way for linebacker Jackson Woodard and another by safety Major Burns, which was deflected by Bonner.

The two interceptions, plus several others over the previous week and a half of camp, came among limited practice reps as Gronowski was the Dolphins’ fourth quarterback on the depth chart.