Story by
Miami Dolphins' Caleb Douglas makes his return count with two touchdowns against New York Jets
- Story by
- Miami Dolphins' Caleb Douglas makes his return count with two touchdowns against New York Jets
The Miami Dolphins had glimpses early on but an injury sidelined his talent. Wide receiver Caleb Douglas had spent three games waiting to get back on the field due to an ankle injury suffered in Week 2 against San Francisco. On his first drive back against the New York Jets, he made the wait worthwhile.
Douglas capped that opening drive with his first NFL touchdown against the New York Jets, then added another score in a performance that helped his team claim its first win. He finished with two catches on three targets — and both receptions ended in the end zone.
Advertisement
Happy to Be Back
In his postgame press conference, Douglas started with something simpler than the touchdowns – being back with his teammates.
"I've been missing them guys, sitting on the sideline," Douglas said. "So, I'm happy I just got out there to go out there and play with them."
The second touchdown paired preparation with instinct. Quarterback Malik Willis delivered the ball from an unusual arm angle, and Douglas turned the catch into a tackle-breaking run down the sideline.
Advertisement
Douglas credited the game plan with putting him in position. He described the Jets bringing a corner blitz and his role as the hot receiver — the quick outlet for the quarterback against that pressure.
"I was hot and made a play," he said.
Once the ball arrived, there was little time to think. Asked about the move that helped him find open grass, Douglas said he was reading the defender's approach and reacting.
"I kind of felt like I had an edge and I just took it and just kept going," he said.
Advertisement
A Little Help From Friends
Malik Washington supplied a block that helped Douglas continue upfield. Even with a flag on the field and the sideline close, Douglas said his focus stayed on finishing the run.
"I mean, I'm out there just running, man," he said. "I'm going to the echo of the whistle."
The two-touchdown return was a first for Douglas, who called it a great game, especially at the NFL level. It also gave him a chance to contribute to the breakthrough his teammates had been pursuing while he was sidelined.
Advertisement
Douglas said his approach during the losing stretch was to help keep the team calm and poised. He believed the group had the talent to win; the task was to clean up the little things and keep building.
"We got a squad, bro," he said. "We just got to clean up the little things."
Against the Jets, that belief finally came with a result.
"And now look, we got us a win," Douglas said.
Asked about the locker room afterward, he kept the answer short: "Man, it felt good."
Advertisement
For Douglas, the return brought more than a place back in the lineup. His first NFL touchdown became a two-score performance, and the celebration he had been missing from the sideline was finally one he could help create.
This story was originally published by Athlon on Oct 28, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
