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Dolphins Safety Battle Takes a Turn as Dante Trader Jr. Sits Out Practice
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- Dolphins Safety Battle Takes a Turn as Dante Trader Jr. Sits Out Practice
Dante Trader Jr. injury update Getty
Michael Taaffe Getty
The Miami Dolphins are continuing through training camp with several position battles developing across the roster. The safety group has drawn particular attention as the team evaluates its options ahead of the regular season.
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Dante Trader Jr. entered camp as the lone projected starter at safety, while veteran Lonnie Anderson Jr. brings the most experience among the other players competing for snaps. Miami is also evaluating several younger players as it continues building its roster.
The Dolphins' defense has focused on creating turnovers, while the coaching staff is also monitoring players returning from injuries and managing workloads during camp. The coming practices will provide more opportunities for players to strengthen their positions on the depth chart.
Miami Dolphins Safeties Get Chance With Dante Trader Jr. Sidelined
Michael Taaffe
GettyMichael Taaffe
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The Miami Dolphins' safety group is dealing with injuries to Dante Trader Jr. and Lonnie Anderson Jr., creating an immediate opportunity for younger players such as Michael Taaffe and Louis Moore.
Omar Kelly of "Miami Herald" wrote that both Trader and Anderson are sidelined with undisclosed injuries, with no timetable for their returns currently known.
Their absence has left Zayne Anderson , Omar Brown , Major Burns , Taaffe and Moore as the safeties working during the start of the second week of camp.
Kelly noted, "If Michael Taaffe and all the other young safeties are going to make a push to become one of the Miami Dolphins' starters, their window of opportunity is now."
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Taaffe, a fifth-round pick from Texas, has already received additional work. Chris Perkins of "Orlando Sentinel" said Taaffe got more action because Trader sat out 11-on-11 drills.
Taaffe said, "I like to say I'm a confident player, and I believe that they brought me in to communicate, that's one of my strengths. So when I'm up there I've got to do what my strength is, and that's to communicate and be around the ball, and have an intelligent mind."
The rookie also had an opportunity to make an interception on a Malik Willis pass intended for Malik Washington , although he appeared to misjudge the ball.
Moore, an undrafted rookie from Indiana, did record one of Miami's two interceptions during Thursday's practice. However, Kelly noted the play may not have counted because cornerback Ethan Robinson appeared likely to sack rookie quarterback Mark Gronowski before the throw.
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Taaffe recorded 70 tackles, including 38 solo tackles, and one sack in 10 games for Texas in 2025. Moore had 88 combined tackles, 45 solo tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss in 16 games for Indiana.
Miami Dolphins Continue Evaluating Young Roster Pieces
The safety competition is part of a broader evaluation of Miami's recent late-round draft selections. Perkins highlighted Taaffe alongside other young players who could become important pieces of the Dolphins' rebuild.
The Dolphins also have several veterans competing for opportunities, including Zayne Anderson, Omar Brown and Major Burns. Whoever performs well during Saturday's public scrimmage could improve his position on the depth chart before Miami's upcoming joint practice with the Washington Commanders .
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Miami's defense is also emphasizing turnovers. Defensive coordinator Sean Duggan explained the importance of creating takeaways.
"It's the fastest way to win and lose the game. If you take away the ball it improves your chances to win the game," Duggan said. "It's something we constantly stress. Whatever you harp on you should get the results."
The Dolphins are also managing several other injuries. Austin Jackson , Trader, Johnson, Kevin Coleman Jr. and Ben Sims missed Thursday's practice while doing conditioning work on the side. Greg Dulcich returned in a red non-contact jersey, while Jamaree Salyer missed his fourth straight practice.
The situation gives Miami's young safeties a chance to gain valuable repetitions while the team waits for its injured players to return.
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