Dolphins CB Ethan Bonner has 'made a lot of plays' in training camp

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Dolphins CB Ethan Bonner has 'made a lot of plays' in training camp

Joe Schad, Palm Beach Post · Palm Beach Post

Mon, Aug 10, 2026 ·

3 min read

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MIAMI GARDENS ― An injury to cornerback JuJu Brents should give Ethan Bonner a real opportunity to solidify his position on the Miami Dolphins' 53-man roster and as a key backup.

"I don't really think of it like JuJu's out, it's my time to go," Bonner said after the Dolphins ' 10th training camp practice. "I just try to show up every day and put my best version of myself out there."

Bonner, 26, has played 21 games in three seasons with the Dolphins, but has not started.

"Biggest thing for me is just staying consistent and when my opportunity presents itself, maximizing it," Bonner said. "I think last year that probably, you know, maybe I didn't get the opportunities as much as I wanted, but the truth of the matter is I just got to play better when I do get thrown in there."

Brents, rookie Chris Johnson and second-year player Jason Marshall, Jr. , are all poised for key roles this season.

But the Dolphins need one or two players from this group to step forward: Bonner, Marco Wilson , Alex Austin , Ethan Robinson, A.J. Green , and Miles Battle .

Storm Duck and Darrell Baker would be factors but they're currently hurt, too.

Aug 8, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins running back De'von Achane (28) runs with the football during practice at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
(Sam Navarro, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Aug 8, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Ollie Gordon II (0) works during practice at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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Aug 8, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis (2) looks on during practice at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
(Sam Navarro, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Aug 8, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins edge Trey Moore (17) runs with the football during practice at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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Aug 8, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins cornerback Chris Johnson (right) looks on during practice at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
(Sam Navarro, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Aug 8, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins tight end Will Kacmarek (82) works during practice at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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Aug 8, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis (2) and fullback DJ Herman (34) touch fists during practice at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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Aug 8, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins inside linebacker Jacob Rodriguez (10) works during practice at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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Aug 8, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Patrick Paul (52) and teammates run on the field during practice at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
(Sam Navarro, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Aug 8, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins running back De'von Achane (28) works with quarterback Malik Willis (2) during practice at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
(Sam Navarro, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Aug 8, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan walks on the field during practice at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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Aug 8, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks (20) looks on from the sideline during practice at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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Aug 8, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Zach Sieler (92) works with defensive tackle Keith Cooper Jr. (97) during practice at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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Aug 8, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Theo Wease Jr. (81) and wide receiver Jalen Tolbert (1) look on during practice at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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Aug 8, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Kevin Cline (79) looks on from the sideline during practice at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
(Sam Navarro, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Bonner, 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, is an exceptional athlete and very good special teams contributor. But coach Jeff Hafley is curious to learn if Bonner can be more.

"Bonner's doing good, very consistent, very quiet," Bonner said. "Very professional. And you guys have seen it. He's made a lot of plays. And it's not just like here or there. He's just really consistent right now. So he's a guy that I can't wait to see line up in a one on one against another color jersey and third down cover another guy. And I'm very pleased with Bonner right now."

Miami Dolphins cornerback Ethan Bonner stretches during practice at Estadio Riyadh Air Metropolitano.

Miami Dolphins roster: Ethan Bonner safe on 53-man?

Bonner feels good about his spring and summer.

"I feel like I've had a strong offseason and start to camp," he said.

A joint practice at the Commanders on Wednesday, Aug. 12 and a preseason game on Friday, Aug.14, are a glaring opportunity.

"Valuable reps," Bonner said.

Miami Dolphins cornerback Ethan Bonner catches the ball before the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Hafley is working closely with Dolphins defensive backs in practive.

"I think one of the biggest things is being physical," Bonner said. "Physical at the line, physical at the point of contact, and just run to the ball, man. It's something you got to do every day and it's just got to be a habit that's ingrained in you."

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Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post . You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe . Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter . Help support our work by subscribing today.