The Miami Dolphins’ defense is finally starting to get some good news, and it comes at a time when the unit could use it.
After turning in its best showing of the season against the Kansas City Chiefs in the home opener, Miami is seeing reinforcements inch closer. Cornerback Storm Duck has already gotten back on the practice field this week, taking the first step in his return from the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list. And 2025 first-round pick Kenneth Grant may not be far behind.
Grant has been out since training camp, when he suffered what appeared to be a foot/ankle injury that had him in a walking boot. He’s since been a regular sight on the practice field during the portions open to the media, though now without the boot. He is eligible to come off IR as soon as the Week 5 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, just before the Dolphins’ bye in Week 6.
Before Friday’s practice, head coach Jeff Hafley sounded encouraged by where Grant stands.
"I think he's kind of grown a little bit impatient," Hafley said. "He feels better.
He's eager to get going. He looks good right now.
We've missed him, and that's not a knock on anybody that's out there. But we'll be excited and hopeful that we'll have him back sooner than later."
If Grant does return, he would slide back into the four-man rotation that was projected entering camp alongside Zach Sieler, Jordan Phillips and Zeek Biggers. Hafley stopped short of making any promises, but his tone suggested real optimism.
"Like I said, he looks good right now," Hafley said. "I don't want to give you a definitive yeah because let's see, he's got to practice, and let's see how he looks when he practices, and is he ready to play?
And so I don't want to get my hopes up. And let's just say he looks good right now, and I like where he's at, and we'll see what he can do next week."
Grant’s return would give Miami a needed lift inside. The defensive line has done a solid job against the run - especially against Kansas City - but the pass rush could use the boost.
Trey Moore remains a much longer shot, but he’s still working toward a return sometime in his rookie year. The fourth-round pick has been out since suffering an ankle injury while pressuring Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota in Miami’s preseason opener.
Moore had already looked like he was carving out a major role before the injury hit. Hafley said he saw him in the weight room and liked what he saw.
"Just saw him downstairs in the weight room and he was working out," Hafley said. "So that's really encouraging and good to see.
I don't know when that will be. But I'm hopeful that that will be this year.
He's a guy who at this point would have had a huge role for us. He did a really nice job in camp and put himself in position to be a guy that was out there.
So we'll see when he gets back, starts practicing and I'm hopeful it'll be sometime this year."
Miami is expected to be careful with Moore, and if that means keeping him out longer, the team won’t rush it. Still, his season isn’t necessarily over, and that possibility remains open.
In Other News...
Dolphins May Finally Be Seeing Hope From Two Young Linemen
After another loss to Kansas City dropped Miami to 0-3, the spotlight again landed on an offensive line that has spent much of the early season trying to settle itself. There were still mixed grades to sort through, but rookie left guard Kadyn Proctor and second-year right guard Jonah Savaiinaea gave the Dolphins something they have not had enough of lately: a couple of young linemen trending in the right direction.
Proctor, in particular, showed cleaner work in pass protection and even turned in a key block on a touchdown run, the kind of detail that tends to matter more as the games pile up. Miamis line also kept the Chiefs from recording a sack, which does not erase the bigger issues, but it does at least offer a small sign that the unit may be finding a foothold with two of its youngest pieces. [Read more 🡒]
Dolphins May Have A Tough Zach Sieler Decision Coming
The Dolphins have a decision looming with Zach Sieler, and it is the kind that can say a lot about where a team believes it stands. Sieler has been a steady part of Miamis defensive front in recent seasons, even if he has not gotten to the quarterback for a sack this year, and that track record is part of why he is drawing attention as the trade market begins to take shape.
Chicago is one team reportedly eyeing help on the defensive line as it tries to bolster its playoff push, which puts Miami in an awkward spot. Moving Sieler would mean giving up a dependable veteran and hoping the return in draft assets justifies it, while keeping him would signal the Dolphins still value depth and experience on a unit that could use both. The kind of offer that lands in the middle may end up being the real test. [Read more 🡒]
Dolphins May Have Found A Defensive Cornerstone Much Faster Than Expected
Through his first three NFL games, Jacob Rodriguez has already started to look less like a rookie finding his footing and more like a player the Dolphins can build around. The second-round linebacker has made an early impression with an interception, multiple tackles and the kind of quick-trigger playmaking that tends to travel well on defense. His athleticism and football IQ have stood out immediately, and the comparisons being made to Lavonte David speak to how quickly he has earned attention.
Jeff Hafleys decision to start Rodriguez over incumbent Tyrel Dodson only adds to the sense that Miami sees something special here. For a team always searching for dependable defensive centerpieces, having a young linebacker this comfortable this early changes the conversation in a hurry. The larger question now is how far that trust can go, and whether Rodriguez is already on his way to becoming the leader the Dolphins hoped they were getting. [Read more 🡒]