The Miami Dolphins got a significant update on rookie receiver Chris Bell on Monday, Aug. 17, activating him from the non-football injury list.
Bell, a third-round pick, is working his way back from the season-ending knee injury he suffered in college at Louisville, and Miami’s move suggests he may be in position to help right away. That opens the door for Bell to be available for the season opener at Las Vegas on Sunday, Sept. 13, along with fellow rookie receiver Caleb Douglas.
Bell, who is 6-foot-2 and 228 pounds, has been progressing with side work alongside trainers as he pushed toward a return. The Dolphins have been careful not to rush him, but the activation is a clear sign he’s cleared to move forward.
For Miami, that’s an important development for quarterback Malik Willis and offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik. The Dolphins have been looking for more help in the passing game, and Bell brings a profile that stands out. He was a first-team All-ACC selection last season at Louisville, where he posted 2,166 yards in 47 games and 36 starts.
His game is built on physicality and power after the catch, and some around the league have even compared his skill set to vintage Deebo Samuel.
After drafting Bell, general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan made it clear the team saw major upside despite the injury:
"You never know when a guy's coming off an injury," Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan said after he drafted Bell. "I'll say we were really excited to add him. I think most would tell you if he wouldn't have gotten injured, he's probably not sitting there anywhere close to where we got him.
"It was one of those deals where it sounds like he's healing up great. I won't put a date on it.
We would expect him to help us this year, but it's a long-term investment. We felt like the talent is very high.
The upside is very high."
If Bell had started the year on the physically unable to perform list, he would have been forced to miss at least four games. Instead, Miami now has a chance to get him on the field early, which matters for a team that has viewed its weapon depth as a concern for Willis.
Looking ahead, Willis could have a receiving group that includes Malik Washington, Caleb Douglas, Chris Bell, Greg Dulcich and De'Von Achane, with rookie Kevin Coleman also in the mix for snaps in 2026.
In Other News...
Malik Willis Is Giving Dolphins Fans A Real QB Debate
Malik Willis first start for the Dolphins offered a reminder that the conversation around Miamis quarterback room is no longer just about depth or development. After a slow offseason, he bounced back with a touchdown drive in his debut, and the way he handled the moment matched what he flashed during a strong training camp. For a fan base that has been looking for more than just a backup storyline, that was enough to turn a routine preseason-type evaluation into something a little more serious.
What makes the situation especially interesting is the ripple effect it could have beyond this season. Willis play has already fueled speculation about whether he can grow into something more than a short-term option, and Miamis long-term planning could eventually reflect that if he keeps trending upward. The bigger question is whether the Dolphins approach to the quarterback position in 2027 starts to look very different depending on what he does over the coming months. [Read more 🡒]
Chris Bell Gives Dolphins Receiving Battle Real Intrigue Again
The Dolphins receiving group got a little more interesting this week with rookie wideout Chris Bell coming off the Non-Football Injury list as he keeps working back from the torn ACL he suffered before training camp. Bells return to the practice mix gives Miami another young option to evaluate as the preseason schedule approaches, and it adds a little more shape to a competition that had already been drawing attention around the roster.
Jeff Hafley and Bobby Slowik have both pointed to Bells progress while also stressing patience, which makes sense given how much time he has missed and how careful the team needs to be about avoiding a setback. Even so, the fact that he is now positioned to be available for the preseason and possibly the regular-season opener gives the Dolphins one more name to watch in a receiver battle that suddenly feels a lot less straightforward. [Read more 🡒]