The Miami Dolphins finished their 2026 training camp on a different note Thursday: indoors for team work, and not because lightning forced the issue.
After opening outside as usual with special teams and position drills, the Dolphins moved into the Baptist Health Training Complex for the rest of practice. That’s where the day shifted into red zone work and, eventually, an end-of-game situation that ended with Malik Willis hitting Malik Washington on a 20-yard completion to the 1-yard line. Washington had to dive for the catch, and the offense was racing the clock, trying to get lined up and spike the ball before time expired.
The session was held in shells and delivered a little bit of everything - a pair of touchdown throws, some strong defensive moments and the most impressive interception of camp.
One of the biggest positives was the return of linebacker Jordyn Brooks, who got team reps in addition to his positional work. Edge defender Cameron Goode and rookie tight end Seyou Traore were also back in team periods, and Traore even caught a pass from Quinn Ewers during a red zone sequence. Edge Robert Beal Jr. practiced as well, though he did not take part in team reps.
There were also fresh absences. Rookie linebacker Jacob Rodriguez was on hand but did not practice, and running backs Ollie Gordon II and Donovan Edwards were not spotted.
Defensive tackle Zach Sieler, edge Clelin Ferrell, tight end Will Kacmarek and defensive tackle Kenneth Grant missed practice again but were present. Tight end Cole Turner, injured Tuesday, also was not at practice.
Rookie linebacker Trey Moore and linebacker Ronnie Harrison Jr. were not there either, and head coach Jeff Hafley had already offered an update on Moore before practice Tuesday.
Rookie wide receiver Chris Bell continued to work in 11-on-11 periods, but he seemed to get fewer reps than he did Tuesday. Whether he suits up for the preseason finale against the Atlanta Falcons remains the question, though the best guess is that he will play, and only briefly.
The defense’s top highlight came from safety Major Burns, who undercut a throw from Ewers intended for Terrace Marshall Jr. Burns stayed in coverage the whole way and then jumped at the last second to snag the pass as Ewers tried to float it to the back of the end zone. It was more a clean defensive play than a bad throw.
Ewers had his moments, but the practice still came with some rough edges. He overshot rookie Kevin Coleman Jr. along the sideline, with Alex Austin in solid coverage on the play. Still, his best throw of the day was a perfect fade to Terrace Marshall Jr. in the back of the end zone, beating Austin despite good defense.
Willis, meanwhile, was sharp in the red zone. He opened that work with pressure in his face after Josh Uche got to him and forced a scramble. Later, Willis delivered a beautiful touchdown to rookie Caleb Douglas in the corner of the end zone, with Douglas getting by Austin and using a subtle push in the back of the end zone that drew no flag from the officials on hand.
Douglas also had a miss, failing to haul in a low throw from Willis over the middle. It was not an easy catch, but it was not in the same category as the one Washington made at the end of practice.
Willis found Washington for another touchdown after scrambling to his right, with Uche’s bull rush driving tackle Austin Jackson almost back into his lap. On the very next snap, Chop Robinson beat Patrick Paul at the line, but Willis escaped and ran it in himself.
There were a few other notable plays mixed in. Defensive tackle Keith Cooper Jr., who has had a strong camp, stopped Carlos Washington Jr. at the line on a run.
Willis later completed four straight passes before Greg Dulcich dropped a perfect throw over the middle. And rookie free agent Donovan McCulley turned in a strong contested catch on a pass from Ewers, holding on through tight coverage from Ethan Bonner and immediate contact once the ball arrived.
McCulley has shown good hands throughout camp.
Former Dolphins defensive end Trace Armstrong, now an agent who has represented Hafley among others, was also in attendance.
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