Jeff Hafley Says Dolphins Had Their Best Week of Practice Yet
Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley provided several injury updates Friday while also expressing optimism about the progress his young team made during preparations for Sunday’s matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.
Despite Miami entering Week 4 still searching for its first victory, Hafley believes this was the Dolphins’ best week of preparation so far this season.
“I thought this has been our best week,” Hafley said. “The energy, the efficiency, I think it’s hands down been our best week.”
Hafley believes some of that improvement comes from Miami’s young players becoming more comfortable with the weekly routine of preparing for an NFL game. He also pointed to the team gaining confidence after showing some encouraging signs against Kansas City last week.
“I think the guys gained some confidence and they’re starting to be in Week 4 of what they’re doing in game prep, and a lot of these young guys are getting in the routine,” Hafley said.
Jaylen Wright Ready to Return
One of the biggest pieces of news from Hafley was that running back Jaylen Wright appears ready to go against Minnesota.
Wright progressed to a full practice, and Hafley said he liked what he saw.
“I thought he looked good yesterday,” Hafley said. “So he’ll be full today and he’ll be ready to go.”
That is especially important following the season-ending injury to De’Von Achane. Wright and Ollie Gordon II will now be asked to handle much larger roles in Miami’s backfield.
The Dolphins could also elevate another running back from the practice squad.
Hafley said Carlos Washington Jr. and Jarquez Hunter have both performed well during the week, and Miami will decide after practice which player to elevate.
“They both fit the scheme,” Hafley said. “They’ve got good straight line speed. They run hard. They can be in there on third down in protection, so they don’t have to come off the field there.”
Aaron Brewer Will Play, Douglas and Beal Ruled Out
Hafley also cleared up the status of center Aaron Brewer after Brewer appeared on the injury report with a hand issue.
Brewer will practice and play Sunday.
“I’m not concerned about him playing in the game, just to be very clear there,” Hafley said.
Caleb Douglas and Beal, however, will both be out against Minnesota.
Hafley said the Dolphins want Douglas to remain involved mentally while recovering, including attending meetings, watching practice and studying film so he doesn’t lose ground while away from the field.
Storm Duck is also unlikely to play this week after recently returning from the PUP list.
Dolphins Looking for More Precision on Offense
With Miami relying on several young players, Hafley emphasized the importance of developing trust, timing and consistency throughout the offense.
That includes quarterback Malik Willis continuing to develop chemistry with Miami’s receivers.
“Can I trust the guy next to me to do his job precisely and be where he’s supposed to be every single play over and over and over again,” Hafley said.
Miami has shown flashes of that execution, but Hafley wants to see it become more consistent.
The good news is Hafley was pleased with what he saw from the receivers during practice this week and continued to praise the overall effort and attitude of the team.
More Opportunities Coming for Young Pass Rushers
Miami’s young defensive players will continue getting opportunities as the Dolphins work through their roster.
Zeek Biggers is one player who could see additional work on the edge. Hafley praised Biggers’ versatility and believes he can contribute both inside and outside.
“He’s good against the run when he’s outside,” Hafley said. “He’s probably got more to him as a pass rusher when he’s inside.”
Hafley also mentioned McGraw and Llewellyn as young edge players making progress. McGraw, in particular, appears to be moving closer to earning an opportunity.
“I think McGraw is a guy that he’s done a really nice job in practice, and he’s starting to put himself in a position where I think he’s getting closer,” Hafley said.
Kenneth Grant Making Progress Toward Return
There was also encouraging news regarding Kenneth Grant.
Grant becomes eligible to return following Sunday’s game, and Hafley said the young defensive lineman is eager to get back onto the field.
“He looks good right now,” Hafley said. “We’ve missed him.”
Hafley acknowledged that Grant could potentially begin practicing next week but stopped short of guaranteeing anything.
The Dolphins will first need to see how Grant responds once he returns to practice before determining when he is ready for game action.
Trey Moore is also progressing and remains on track to potentially return this season. Hafley said Moore would have had a significant role in Miami’s defense had he remained healthy.
Hafley Likes Development of Young Secondary
Miami’s young cornerbacks face another significant challenge against Minnesota’s talented receiving corps.
Hafley pointed to improvement from several young defensive backs through the first three games, specifically mentioning Chris, Marshall and JuJu.
He was particularly pleased with the increased physicality from JuJu after the coaching staff challenged him earlier in the season.
“If you really watched that game closely last week, he was physical,” Hafley said. “He was physical in the run game. He was physical with the wideouts.”
That development will be important regardless of whether Justin Jefferson plays Sunday, as Hafley noted Minnesota still has plenty of talent at receiver.
Jacob Rodriguez Continues to Impress
Hafley also offered another example of why the Dolphins have been so impressed with rookie linebacker Jacob Rodriguez.
Rodriguez and veteran JB have routinely shown up for early-morning meetings with Hafley and the defensive staff to discuss calls and the defensive game plan.
Hafley said the meetings weren’t something the coaches continually needed to request. The two linebackers simply began arriving at approximately the same time every day.
“They’re just consistent, which is cool to see,” Hafley said.
Hafley praised JB for mentoring Rodriguez while also complimenting the rookie’s maturity.
With Rodriguez handling the green dot and communicating defensive calls, those meetings give him an opportunity to understand what Hafley wants before the entire defensive unit receives the game plan.
Dolphins Looking to Turn Progress Into a Win
The Dolphins have talked extensively about developing their young roster through the opening weeks of the season. Now Hafley wants to see the improvements taking place during practice translate to Sundays.
Miami showed encouraging signs despite losing to Kansas City last week, and Hafley clearly believes the team carried some of that momentum into practice.
The next challenge is turning those signs of progress into Miami’s first victory of the season.
And after what Hafley described as the Dolphins’ best week of practice yet, Miami will head to Minnesota hoping that improvement finally shows up in the win column.
