There is one big surprise amid Jeff Hafley’s injury updates as Miami Dolphins training camp kicks off
Miami Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley gave a rundown of the team’s outstanding injury items at the start of camp. Here’s where things stand.
We are officially back in business, friends. The Miami Dolphins were back in the building for the first day of their 2026 training camp today.
And as a part of the administrative items to tackle, Jeff Hafley met with the media and offered a rundown on the state of the roster. Included in the conversation? One mildly surprising (rough) timeline for return). The feedback on rookie wide receiver Chris Bell sounds promising — and his status is worth monitoring.
Jeff Hafley offers a series of injury timelines for injured Miami Dolphins, with a notable surprise
Oct. 4, 2025© Scott Utterback/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The news on rookie wide receiver Chris Bell is the most optimistic of the bunch — and not just because Hafley said that the rookie receiver had a good summer and is in a really good place. But consider this: it was just a few months ago that there was some talk or buzz from pundits that Bell could be a player who misses most (heck…even all) of 2026. Here’s what Hafley had to say today.
“(Bell is) in a really good place right now…but I don’t think it’s like way off in the distance. I am excited where he’s at. I can get a smirk on my face and have some optimism there. He’s worked really hard. Our training staff, Kyle (Johnston) and those guys and Todd (Hunt) have done a great job with him,” said Hafley.
“I think he’s had a great summer and he’s in a good spot. You’re going to see him running around out there. Did the conditioning test today with the team. So we’ll see where it goes.”
Hafley did concede that they have to be careful. But his assessment of Bell, whose ACL injury happened last fall, sure sounds rosier than a pair of cornerbacks who the Miami Dolphins placed on the PUP list last week. And that’s a surprise. When asked about Storm Duck and Darrell Baker Jr., Hafley said “they’ll be a little further off”.
We don’t have firm deadlines — injuries don’t work that way. But we’re in the “getting to know you” process with Hafley and his messaging around these injuries and potential timelines is worth noting. It was all good news the rest of the way. Pivotal right tackle Austin Jackson, who missed time in the spring as he recovered from a procedure? “He’s back!”. Star running back De’Von Achane, who had a clean-up procedure in his shoulder? “Ready to go.”
So are we, Coach.
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