The Miami Dolphins might be forced to hold Friday’s joint practice and play Sunday’s preseason opener against the Chicago Bears without Tyreek Hill.
Hill participated in Thursday’s practice on a limited basis, but it’s clear he’s nursing a lower extremity issue, which the Dolphins clearly don’t want to flare up before the regular season.
Hill, who had his second least productive season in 2024, contributing 959 yards and six touchdowns on 81 receptions, spent a large portion of Thursday’s practice working with a trainer, who was closely monitoring and stretching his calves.
Hill worked on the side for most of the offseason program because of a wrist injury he had surgically repaired, which kept him from participating in team drills.
Hill’s absence creates more opportunity for Tua Tagovailoa to continue developing chemistry with Malik Washington, the second-year receiver who blossomed as Miami’s top slot receiver last season, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, a free agent addition, and Dee Eskridge, one of camp’s top performers in the first two weeks.
Campbell out of red jersey
Safety Elijah Campbell is out of the red jersey. He continues to work as the safety paired with Minkah Fitzpatrick while Ifeatu Melifonwu works his way back from the injury that got him placed on the non-football injury list to begin training camp.
Melifonwu participated in team drills on Wednesday, but is clearly being eased back into team drills.....
Safety Dante Trader Jr., who sat out a week’s worth of work because of a soft tissue issue, returned to the field on Thursday. According to coach Mike McDaniel, the Dolphins shelved Trader, the team’s 2025 fifth-round pick, with the hopes he’d be healthy enough to participate in Friday’s joint practice.
Cornerback Cam Smith is in attendance, but not practicing because of what appears to be a lower extremity injury. He was training on the side.
Fullback Alec Ingold is in Chicago, but not practicing in Thursday’s practice because he’s in the concussion protocol. Ingold was doing light aerobic activity with tight end Darren Waller, who continues watching on the side, but seemingly won’t be practicing. Waller began training camp on the PUP list because he’s coming out of retirement and the Dolphins won’t want a setback before the regular season.
Pass rusher Mohamed Kamara did not participating in Thursday’s practice. His injury is unknown.