Miami Dolphins Secondary Is In Major Trouble

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins’ secondary faces a deepening crisis as starting cornerback Kader Kohou will miss the entire 2025 season due to a partially torn ACL sustained during a training camp practice. The injury, which occurred during one-on-one drills, marks another blow to a unit already reeling from significant losses. The Miami Dolphins secondary is in major trouble.

Kohou, a standout undrafted free agent from 2022, clutched his right knee after attempting to cover wide receiver Tyreek Hill. He limped off the field with assistance from the team’s medical staff, unable to bear full weight. Initial evaluations revealed significant swelling, delaying a definitive diagnosis. The team later confirmed the partial ACL tear, which requires surgery and sidelines Kohou for the year. His absence leaves a gaping hole in Miami’s defensive backfield, where he was expected to anchor the nickel position and take on a leadership role.

The Dolphins’ secondary, already undergoing a major overhaul, now teeters on the brink of disarray. The team traded star cornerback Jalen Ramsey to the Pittsburgh Steelers and released Kendall Fuller earlier this offseason. Safety Jevon Holland departed in free agency, and Jordan Poyer remains unsigned. Adding to the woes, veteran cornerback Artie Burns suffered a season-ending ACL tear on the first day of training camp. Safety Ashtyn Davis also sustained a non-contact leg injury, though he avoids a season-long absence. Rookie safety Dante Trader Jr. and Ifeatu Melifonwu, both nursing injuries, further strain the unit’s depth.

The Miami Dolphins might be cooked.

Kohou’s injury compounds these challenges. As the lone returning starter from the 2024 secondary, his versatility in the slot and on the boundary made him a cornerstone of the defense. His 45 tackles, two interceptions, and a forced fumble last season underscored his reliability. Without him, the Dolphins turn to unproven talent and recent free-agent signings to fill the void. Veterans Jack Jones and Mike Hilton, both added recently, bring experience but face pressure to gel quickly. Jones, who started 16 games for the Raiders in 2024, allowed eight touchdowns, raising concerns about his consistency. Hilton, a slot specialist, steps into Kohou’s role but lacks the same rapport with the team’s defensive scheme.