Key to the Dolphins’ 2025 Season is Staying Injury Free

Key to the Dolphins’ 2025 Season is Staying Injury Free

The prevailing sentiment among NFL prognosticators, sports writers, and fans is that the success of the 2025 season relies on Tua Tagovailoa staying healthy and on the field.

With Tua’s prior history of only one healthy year in his NFL career, coupled with the Dolphins performing significantly better with Tua on the field, keeping Tua upright is paramount.

Should (when) Tua go down to injury, even for a brief period, the backup quarterback room is filled with uncertainty, although it cannot be much worse than in 2024.

But let’s not forget the remaining position groups on this team.

Staying with the offense, the projected starters on the offensive line —left tackle Patrick Paul, left guard Jonah Savaiinaea, center Aaron Brewer, right guard James Daniels, and right tackle Austin Jackson —are a solid group of five.

Unfortunately, the group backing the offensive line starters is a collection of players that leaves much to be desired. When Liam Eichenberg is the one recognizable name among the group, the backup list inspires no confidence.

The wide receiver room still boasts two of the speediest receivers in the league, namely Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

Yet the search for a dependable third receiver remains a work in progress,

Free agent acquisition Nick Westbrook-Ikhine has yet to grasp Coach McDaniel’s offense, according to reports from the media.

Is Malik Washington the answer at the third wide receiver?

Newly released tight end Jonnu Smith played the third wide receiver role during the 2024 season, especially towards the later games when teams were consistently taking away our two top targets.

Is there another tight end on the roster who can serve this purpose?

Reviewing the current tight end depth chart, do you have confidence in Darren Waller, Julian Hill, Pharaoh Brown, or Tanner Conner?

The remaining offensive position group, running back, looks much more promising.

With De’Von Achane leading the group, the remaining backs, comprised of Jaylen Wright, Alexander Mattison, and Ollie Gordon II, can handle the load.

Turning to the defense, the defensive front of Zach Sieler, Jaelan Phillips, Kenneth Grant, Benito Jones, Tyrel Dodson, Jordyn Brooks, and Bradley Chubb is arguably Miami’s strongest unit.

Backing this group are Chop Robinson, Jordan Phillips, Willie Gay, and Quinton Bell, each of whom can successfully fill in as rotational players.

Then, of course, comes the defensive backfield, which contains only one proven starter, Minkah Fitzpatrick, a potential full-time starter, Storm Duck, and??

For the defensive backfield group, we do not have to be concerned with backups at this point, as we are still looking for the starters.

So, let’s remain wary of any injury impact the more vulnerable position groups may experience during the 2025 season.