The growing optimism around one Miami Dolphins rookie could spell trouble for a pair of veterans
The seemingly good news for one Miami Dolphins rookie could be brewing some bad news for a pair of veterans.
It wasn’t all that long ago that some felt Miami Dolphins rookie wide receiver Chris Bell would be an afterthought for this season.
It still may end up playing out that way — as Bell remains on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list as he continues to rehab from an ACL injury in late 2025. But optimism is growing — both through the team and through the public eye. Head coach Jeff Hafley has been cautiously optimistic when pressed about Bell since training camp opened. And the whole thing may be brewing some troubles for some others in Miami’s wide receiver room.
The growing optimism around Miami Dolphins rookie wide receiver Chris Bell is bad news for a pair of veterans
“Chris is progressing nicely. You saw him run yesterday. He’s accelerating, he’s decelerating. He’s able to cut. I think that’s a credit to Chris how hard he’s worked. It’s a credit to Kyle (Johnston), our training staff. I think it’s a credit to Todd (Hunt), our strength staff. And you know, I would say this. We want to be certain that he is ready so he does not have setbacks early in his career. Is it going to be day-to-day? No. Do I think it’s going to be long-term? No.”
— Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley on rookie wide receiver Chris Bell
The Dolphins’ held public practices all week long at Baptist Health Training Complex — which yielded several Zapruder-style videos of Bell running and working out on the far field before practice. It’s all prompting some buzz that Bell, a perceived steal with Miami’s final selection of the third round, could be right around the corner.
That would be wonderful news for the team. But it would be another tough blow of adversity to a pair of veterans attempting to lock in spots on Miami’s 53-man roster this month.
Both Jalen Tolbert and Tutu Atwell have been quiet through the first week and a half of training camp. The practice recaps often highlight modest production in the Dolphins’ team-period heavy sessions. Atwell has also been tabbed as struggling with drops at times, too. That’s a bad mix of variables to be battling if Bell ultimately gets a breakthrough and hits the field.
Bell will have his own challenges, although his roster spot is not in question. As a rookie receiver who has been focused on rehab, he’ll need to get chemistry with QB Malik Willis and switch his training from recovery mode to trying to get to playing condition. Regardless, if Bell can push his timeline for the Miami Dolphins, it’s going to be bad news for Atwell and/or Tolbert. Unless something changes.
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