Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley stated that the team has no plans to bring in outside secondary help despite the mounting injuries.
Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley worked his way up in the football world by being a secondary coach, so he naturally has a vested interest in the group. Considering the mounting injuries that the team has sustained with Storm Duck, Darrell Baker Jr., Dante Trader Jr., Juju Brents and more, there was a belief that more help would be brought in.
That appears not to be the case, and Hafley stated that they are happy with the current group and will keep coaching them up.
"We've talked about, but at this point we're coaching the guys we have," Hafley said. I appreciate all the hard work of the guys that are here have done."
Hafley believes that the current group can rise to the occasion and be ready when the regular season starts. That might be the case, as the head coach also stated that Trader is currently working his way back out onto the field after suffering his injury.
"Trader is gonna work more back in today," Hafley said.
Getting Trader back would be a big boost to the defense, as he was slated to be a breakout candidate for the 2026 season. Unfortunately, his injury has led to Hafley and the coaching staff not getting a proper evaluation on his talents.
For the secondary players that are there, Jason Marshall Jr. got a big shout-out from Hafley, simply due to being available throughout training camp.
"He’s been available every day and he’s been very consistent. His technique, his coverage, the way he’s coming up and thudding up on tackles. When we talk about consistency over time, he’s a very good example of that which is why he’s improving," Hafley said of Marshall.
There are also other younger players who have been stepping up amid injuries, such as safety Zayne Anderson.
Anderson has been emerging as a playmaker throughout camp, and he should continue to do so. During the first preseason game, he played nine total snaps but was the second-highest-rated defender on the team with an overall grade of 81.4, per Pro Football Focus.
Additionally, A.J. Green was also a preseason standout, as he played 17 snaps and delivered the third-highest defense grade with 75.4.
There is also Kyle Louis, who is currently being worked in as a linebacker and safety, both of which he did at a high level in college. Hafley lined Louis up as a safety on Monday and has since spoken about his excitement to get the rookie defender lining up in multiple spots.
There are some strong depth pieces that may be why Hafley is not concerned with adding in outside free agent help to the secondary room. That, and players like Trader are working their way back from injury.
The Dolphins are currently in a joint practice with the New York Giants and will face off against the team in their second preseason outing on Saturday.
This will then be followed up by a third and final preseason game. Hafley stated that the Dolphins would not have a third joint practice so that he can put the team in situational football to prepare them for the start of the regular season.
That said, there is time for this Dolphins team to get healthy and get key starters back before they take on the Las Vegas Raiders on Sep. 13.
