Miami Dolphins general manager Jon Eric-Sullivan offers an encouraging update on rookie wide receiver Chris Bell.
Miami Dolphins general manager Jon Eric-Sullivan offers an encouraging update on rookie wide receiver Chris Bell.
Sullivan appeared on "The Joe Rose Show" and said Bell is simply built differently as he continues to recover from a torn ACL.
"The good Lord made him differently than he made most and that has helped him along in his rehab, too,” Sullivan said.
Bell suffered a torn ACL while playing at Louisville last December.
The Dolphins selected Bell in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft with the 94th overall pick. Although an ACL injury would turn teams away from players, that was not the case for Miami.
"He’s just a little bit of a freak that way…obviously, we want him out there as soon as possible, but this is long-term big-picture thinking in terms of getting him back out there because we expect him to be a really good player for this offense for years to come. So, I’d rather be a week too late than a week too early," Sullivan added.
Sullivan believes Bell is in a good spot in his rehab.
Bell was too good to pass up. The 22-year-old earned All-ACC honors after recording 72 receptions for 917 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 12.7 yards per reception in 11 games.
It was Bell’s best season in college, which largely led to the Dolphins selecting him on Day 2 of the draft.
As things stand, the Dolphins do not have a specific timeline or firm date for Bell as he continues to recover. Head coach Jeff Hafley said he wants Bell to be fully ready without rushing the process to avoid early setbacks.
Bell remains on the NFI list while he finishes his rehabilitation. He has begun running routes, accelerating, decelerating, and cutting on the side. The "if" of Bell's potential return this season is not the real question, but rather the "when."
The Dolphins could certainly use a player like Bell, as their wide receiver room is the furthest thing from their strongest position group.
The Dolphins' wide receiver room remains a question mark, but Bell could emerge as the player who changes that. Before the injury, he was considered a potential first- or second-round pick. Luckily for the Dolphins, he fell right into their lap.
Miami’s wide receiver room currently consists of Malik Washington, Jalen Tolbert, Tutu Atwell and fellow rookie Caleb Douglas. It’s filled with a ton of youth and inexperience, but it is also an intriguing bunch.
Bell has the tools to be a standout player, with his compact build and his ability to bounce off tacklers and win more often than not at that catch point. He uses his frame to win over the middle and pick up yards after the catch.
Bell was the sixth selection that Sullivan made as the Dolphins' general manager. The former Louisville Cardinal has the potential to emerge as one of the best players in the Dolphins' draft class.
