Chris Bell is officially back with the Miami Dolphins—but Jeff Hafley wants you to pump the brakes a bit
The Miami Dolphins welcomed wide receiver Chris Bell back to practice but head coach Jeff Hafley laid out the next steps for his return.
The Miami Dolphins made a major roster move on Monday when it was announced that third-round rookie wide receiver Chris Bell was being activated from the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list.
On Tuesday, Bell was out at practice with his teammates in a red jersey. He took his first 11-on-11 reps of the summer. And so his bid to return to action after a late 2025 ACL injury takes the latest step. But ahead of Tuesday’s practice, head coach Jeff Hafley laid out the full process. This week’s steps are major ones. But Hafley does acknowledge there are many more left to take.
Jeff Hafley lays out the next steps for rookie wide receiver Chris Bell’s return to action
“There’s still a lot of steps to go. So let’s just see how he progresses. With any injury, could there be setbacks? Sure. Could it go smoothly? I hope. So step two will be getting involved in some team activities with a red jersey on, I don’t foresee him practicing against the Giants or playing against the Giants. But we’ll go we’ll go day to day and see how he progresses. But I think you know everyone’s really excited that he’s back. He’s got to get in football shape. He’s got to get in some timing and rhythm with the quarterbacks. But it’s good to have him out there.”
— Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley on the outlook of rookie WR Chris Bell
Let’s not count our chickens too hastily here. As Hafley points out, there’s a process that’s still left to unfold and it will feature “a lot” of additional steps. The tea leaves likely indicate that, barring a setback, Bell will be able to dress for the start of the regular season. But being physically able to dress versus being actually prepared to play are two separate things. Bell must work his way back into football shape. He’ll need to build chemistry with his quarterback. And he’ll need to shed the red non-contact jersey he’s currently sporting at practice. The season will be here before we know it — but as Hafley underscores, Bell is running his own race for readiness. At his own pace.
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