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Dolphins will be without two top defensive linemen for a while
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- Dolphins will be without two top defensive linemen for a while
MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Kenneth Grant , who played 10 snaps in Friday's 20-7 loss at Washington but missed Monday's practice, is "week to week," according to coach Jeff Hafley. Grant's injury hasn't been disclosed but Hafley said Grant, the 2025 first-round pick who is fighting for a startung job, won't practice this week.
In other injury news, Hafley said defensive tackle Zach Sieler , who is also "week to week" with an undisclosed ailment, isn't in danger of missing the Sept. 13 season opener at Las Vegas , and veteran safety Ronnie Harrison Jr. won't practice Tuesday.
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Both Sieler and Grant were seen Monday doing rehabilitation work on the field.
In positive injury news, Hafley said the plan is to bring wide receiver Chris Bell along slowly. Bell was activated from the non-football injury list Monday. Bell, the rookie third-round pick, has been recovering from a knee injury he sustained in November while playing for Louisville.
Hafley wouldn't speculate on whether Bell would be available for the opener.
"He's back at pratice so there's always hope," Hafley said before adding, "We have to be careful."
Hafley said Bell would practice Tuesday wearing a red (no contact) jersey, just as he did Monday, but would do more in individual drills.
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The Dolphins host the New York Giants this week for a joint practice Thursday and a game Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium.
"I don't foresee him practicing against the Giants or playing against the Giants," Hafley said.
Dolphins re-sign edge rusher
The Dolphins re-signed edge rusher Seth Coleman-Lyles, the first-year player from Illinois, and released Mason Reiger, the undrfted rookie from Wisonson. Coleman-Lyles was released Aug. 5.
DJ Herman hopes physicality helps
Fullback DJ Herman, the undrafted rookie who played linebacker and special teams last year at San Diego State, is hoping his newly-learned offensive skills combine with his physicality, a trait Hafley wants to emphasize, to stick around.
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Herman (6-foot-1, 235 pounds) had ups and downs against Washington on Friday. He was flagged for a questionable holding call, but he also dropped a pass. On the other hand, he made several good lead blocks in the run game, as he's done through training camp.
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"The linebacker position, you're there hitting people," Herman said. "When it comes to playing fullback, you're doing the same thing essentially. You know, you're getting the assignment of the offense and making sure you're getting your blocks right. And then all you can do is just hit the guy in front of you."
Herman is the only fullback on the roster so it's a feast or famine situation. There's a thought the Dolphins could use rookie tight end Will Kacmarek, a third-round pick, to handle short-yardage blocking duties. The Dolphins used fullback Alec Ingold in recent years.
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WR A.J. Henning impressive
Slot wide receiver A.J. Henning, who spent most of last season as a rookie on the practice squad, is battling for a spot on the 53-man roster and spotlighted himself with a 70-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Cam Miller on Monday.
Henning, who also returns punts, is behind veterans Malik Washington and rookie Kevin Coleman Jr., on the depth chart a slot receiver and behind Washington as a punt returner. At this point Henning is likely headed for the practice squad initially, but he continues to flash. And he embraces the competition.
"I think that's a great thing in the room when you have guys, fighting, scratching, clawing for a spot and an opportunity, and they want to make the most of every play," he said. "I know I came in with a mindset and mentality every day to make the most of every day, make the most of every meeting, make the most of every opportunity that I get when I'm out there."
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Dolphins reserves can redeem themselves
The Dolphins' second- and third-team players didn't make a good representation for themselves against Washington in the presesason opener. The 17-0 showing in the second quarter was their undoing.
It's somewhat predictable that the Dolphins' reserves are going to be below the level of other teams' reserves due to the process of the rebuild and the salary cap situation, which restricts collecting proven NFL talent. However, the concern is when the Dolphins' injuries set it, which is happeneing now to a small extent.
Fans have one practice left
Dolphins fans have a final opportunity to attend a training camp practice this year, and that's Thursday's 9:30 a.m. joint practice against the Giants at the Baptist Health Training Complex.
