Miami Dolphins rookie Chris Bell is still not on the field for full practice, and the latest update from offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik poured cold water on the idea that his debut is close.
Bell was seen running routes before the team went out to the fields at the Baptist Health Training Complex on Tuesday, a sign that his work has been ramping up since camp opened. But when asked about Bell after practice, Slowik said, "I mean he's still a long way away," and followed that with, "We haven't even had a chance as coaches to work with him aside from in the meeting room. So we'll see when he's able to go."
That came only a day after head coach Jeff Hafley sounded more upbeat about where Bell stands. On the day before the first practice of camp, Hafley said, "I think he's in a really good place right now, and we'll see, but I don't think it's like way off in the distance," before adding, "I can get a smirk on my face and have some optimism there.
He's worked really hard. I think he's had a great summer and he's in a good spot.
As much as there's optimism and I get excited about where he's at, I think we also have to be careful. So we'll continue to work through it."
Bell opened camp on the Active/Non-Football Injury list, which applies because he is rehabbing an injury suffered outside Dolphins activities, in his case while playing for Louisville last November. He can come off that list once he is cleared to practice.
The uncertainty now is whether that happens soon enough to avoid a move to the Reserve/NFI list when the roster is cut to 53. If that happens, Bell would miss at least the first four games of the 2026 regular season.
Slowik’s remarks may also have been aimed at tempering expectations for what Bell can provide right away. Bell has been described in several places as the most talented wide receiver on a roster that lacks talent at the position, and his size and skill set have drawn comparisons to A.J. Brown.
That kind of profile naturally gets people dreaming big, but Bell is still a rookie, and he is only about seven months removed from a major knee injury. That makes the idea of him stepping in and instantly changing the passing game in 2026 a lot to ask.
The Dolphins, for their part, have every reason to be patient. Hafley said in late July that the team would be careful about when Bell is brought back and how much is asked of him, and that approach still appears to be the plan.
Maybe Bell’s return comes later than the recent signs suggested. Maybe it takes longer than fans want. But the Dolphins clearly made this pick with the future in mind, not just 2026.
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