Jeff Hafley Gives Dolphins Injury Updates, Talks Roster Decisions

Jeff Hafley Gives Dolphins Injury Updates, Talks Roster Decisions

Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley met with the media Sunday following Miami’s 26-3 preseason loss to the New York Giants, and much of the conversation centered on injuries, roster evaluation and what lies ahead during the final week of the preseason.

With roster decisions approaching and Miami preparing for its preseason finale, Hafley made it clear the next several days will be important for both established starters and players fighting to earn a spot on the 53-man roster.

Trey Moore Will “Miss Some Time”

One of the biggest pieces of news involved linebacker Trey Moore, who suffered an ankle injury against the Giants.

Hafley confirmed that Moore will be sidelined and indicated a quick return is unlikely.

“Trey will miss some time,” Hafley said. “I don’t see him back being soon. I’m not sure how long it will be.”

Hafley said the Dolphins will have a better idea of Moore’s timetable after additional testing is completed.

There was better news regarding running back Ollie Gordon, who was hit in the ribs during the game. Hafley said Gordon was medically cleared to return, but the Dolphins decided there was no reason to put him back on the field.

Ronnie Stanley, meanwhile, suffered a hamstring issue after making a play on third down. Hafley said Stanley will “probably be unlikely” to participate this week.

Hafley Sees Giants Game as Valuable Evaluation Tool

The final score wasn’t what Hafley wanted, but the Dolphins purposely used the game as an opportunity to get an extended look at younger players and those battling for roster spots.

Hafley said some players helped themselves while others made both mental and physical mistakes.

“I thought some guys stood out and helped their cases and made some plays,” Hafley said.

Despite the disappointing performance, Hafley emphasized how valuable the film will be as he and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan determine which players belong on the roster.

He called preseason games an important evaluation tool because they allow Miami to determine which players moved up or down and where the roster still needs improvement.

Dolphins Enter an Important Final Week

Miami’s approach to practice will change during the final week of the preseason.

Many of the Dolphins’ starters barely played against the Giants, and Hafley wants to begin ramping up their workload as the team moves closer to the regular season. Players who received significant snaps Saturday will have a lighter workload while recovering.

Hafley also wants the starters to get more situational work with less scripting.

“Some more situational football, some more move the ball and just play ball where there’s less scripting and more thinking from the players,” Hafley said.

At the same time, players on the roster bubble are fighting for their jobs. Hafley acknowledged how stressful the week can be for those players and said the coaching staff needs to give them every opportunity to prove themselves.

Quarterback Play “Needs to Improve”

After reviewing the film, Hafley didn’t place all the blame for Miami’s offensive struggles on the quarterbacks.

The Dolphins ran just 37 offensive plays, something Hafley called possibly the lowest total he has ever seen during his coaching career. Miami’s quarterbacks also dealt with difficult field position, including possessions backed up near their own goal line.

Still, Hafley acknowledged the performance wasn’t good enough.

“There were times where it just, it wasn’t good enough and it needs to be played better and it needs to be coached better,” Hafley said.

He pointed out that evaluating quarterback play requires looking at the entire offense, including whether receivers ran the correct routes, whether passes were dropped and whether the protection held up.

Hafley Wants Rookie Receivers to Develop Consistency

Hafley also discussed Miami’s young receiving corps, including Kevin Coleman Jr., Caleb Douglas and Chris Bell.

His primary goal is simple: improvement.

Hafley wants the rookie receivers to push one another, develop chemistry with quarterback Malik Willis and establish their individual roles within the offense.

Most importantly, he wants them to become consistent enough that the coaching staff can trust them.

Hafley acknowledged there will be growing pains. Rookies will produce exciting plays, but they’ll also make mistakes that become learning opportunities. With several rookies potentially playing significant roles for Miami this season, their continued development could become an important storyline.

Quinn Ewers Could Return to Practice

Hafley also provided a positive update on quarterback Quinn Ewers.

When asked whether Ewers has a chance to practice this week, Hafley responded, “Yeah, I’m hopeful that we’ll get to see him at practice this week.”

Getting Ewers back on the practice field would give Miami another quarterback to evaluate before the regular season begins.

Hafley Wants More Consistency From the Offense

The Dolphins haven’t shown much of their starting offense during the preseason, but Hafley believes there have been encouraging signs.

He specifically mentioned the continued improvement and confidence at quarterback and stretches in which Miami has run the football effectively.

The biggest issue remains consistency.

“The overall consistency, it has to get better,” Hafley said.

He believes part of that will come naturally as Miami settles on its depth chart and gets its primary players more snaps together.

Dante Trader Making a Push for a Starting Job

One of Hafley’s most positive assessments Sunday involved defensive back Dante Trader.

Hafley praised Trader’s physicality, tackling and effort against the Giants and called him one of Miami’s bright spots.

Trader also prevented what could have become a huge play after a coverage breakdown by coming over from the middle of the field to make the stop.

“I think that that puts him right back where he left off, in a great spot to be in the mix and compete for that starting position,” Hafley said.

That’s a significant endorsement with the regular season approaching and roster and starting-position battles nearing their conclusions.

Dolphins Plan to Be Aggressive on Waiver Wire

Miami has already been active searching for outside help, and Hafley doesn’t expect that approach to change.

Hafley said he and Sullivan are constantly discussing ways to improve the roster and that Miami has an obligation to aggressively pursue players who could make the team better.

“If we feel like there are players out there that can help our roster, then we need to be aggressive,” Hafley said.

That approach won’t necessarily end when the initial 53-man roster is established. Hafley indicated Miami will continue evaluating available players throughout the season.

Keith Cooper Jr. Has Made One of Camp’s Biggest Jumps

Hafley saved some of his strongest praise for Keith Cooper Jr., a player who entered training camp facing an uphill battle to make the roster.

According to Hafley, Cooper has been one of the Dolphins’ most improved players.

“He is a guy that, in my opinion, has made one of the biggest jumps from where he started to where he is right now,” Hafley said.

Miami has used Cooper both inside and outside, and Hafley praised his improvement in fundamentals, technique and physicality, along with the development of his pass-rush moves.

Hafley believes Cooper has put himself in a much different position than when training camp began.

Final Week Will Help Shape Dolphins’ 53-Man Roster

The biggest takeaway from Hafley’s Sunday press conference is that the Dolphins are entering a transition point in their preseason.

For the starters, the focus is shifting toward preparing for the regular season. For everyone else, Friday night’s preseason finale represents another—and potentially final—opportunity to prove they belong.

Hafley admitted the loss to the Giants didn’t sit well with him as a competitor, but he also stressed that the film from the game was invaluable.

Right now, wins and losses aren’t the primary objective. Miami needs to determine which players it can count on when the regular season arrives.

With roster cuts approaching, Hafley and Sullivan have several difficult decisions ahead of them—and the performances over the next several days could determine who makes the Dolphins’ final 53.