MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Ten days out from the start of the regular season, the Miami Dolphins still don’t have star cornerback Jalen Ramsey on the practice field.
Ramsey has an undisclosed injury and has barely done anything on-field for going on three weeks. He missed the entire preseason, and he’s been largely missing from practice for a significant amount of time, including the portion open to reporters on Thursday.
Injury Report for Miami Dolphins CB Jalen Ramsey
The Dolphins are very protective of injury information, so they haven’t said exactly what’s going on with Ramsey — who missed half of the 2023 season with a major knee injury.
“Jalen Ramsey was able to get some reps this week, the practice before the joint practice,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said Friday immediately after the team’s preseason finale.
“So, I feel very good about that. We didn’t practice him in the joint practice [with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers] because coming off the injury I just know too much about my personnel. He’s already a competitor. Thankfully, he’s already such a good teammate and such a good leader, you know, when he goes against our offense, he manages his competitiveness as much as one can.
“He himself knows that (if) another colored jersey goes against him, he might step out of the comfort zone. So, getting him some reps, I feel pretty good about him and he’s done a good job, so no concerns about him.”
That explanation certainly made sense last week. But this week has been Dolphins vs. Dolphins in a controlled environment. And yet, no Ramsey.
For sure, it’s not yet time for real concern. But if Ramsey is not on the practice field Monday when the Dolphins continue preparation for the Sept. 8 opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, alarm bells should ring.
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Ramsey is not only the Dolphins’ best defensive player, but also their most versatile. So if he’s unavailable for the opener, it would significantly alter defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver’s approach.
Kader Kohou would play most every down, and Ethan Bonner would presumably get a big promotion. Bonner is undoubtedly Miami’s No. 4 corner right now, particularly with Cam Smith on injured reserve.
Ramsey was one of six Dolphins players not spotted at practice Thursday. The others were WR Tyreek Hill, RB Jaylen Wright, C Aaron Brewer, DT Calais Campbell, and LB Quinton Bell.
Some good news for Miami Thursday: They got back defensive tackle Benito Jones and linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. after extended absences by both.
Miami also brought back Robbie Chosen to its practice squad, giving the Dolphins seven receivers between the two rosters.