MIAMI GARDENS (CBS12 NEWS) — Training camp is over, but the Miami Dolphins were back on the field on Monday getting ready for the regular season. It would be the final practice for some in aqua and orange, with final cuts due by Tuesday at 4 PM.
One more chance to shine with final cuts happening tomorrow afternoon. Sports Director John Evenson has the latest from Miami Gardens.
One player noticeably missing from the practice field on Monday was quarterback Mike White, who was released on Sunday. That leaves Skyler Thompson as the official back up quarterback QB to Tua Tagovailoa, who had nothing but praise for the third year NFL quarterback.
“To see his growth from his rookie year to this point has been something really, really cool,” reflects Tagovailoa. “Just learning this offense, keeping his head down ……and just seeing his mindset that he’s had throughout the years and also throughout the practices, I really commend him for sticking it through and being able to do what he has done.”
Tagovailoa did have to say goodbye for now to White, a guy who he had worked very closely with over the past couple of years. Tua and the team will also have to also part ways with the talent that is let go between now and Tuesday at 4 PM.
“It’s a bittersweet deal,” admits Tagovailoa. “Just because the relationships you build with some of the rookies and then a lot of the guys who have been vets but who have been going from team to team. It’s bittersweet just because of the relationships you have with those guys, but they also understand it’s a business. They understand how this thing works, and we wish them the best.”
The Dolphins should definitely have one of the deepest running back cores we’ve seen in years around here, featuring Devon Achance, who broke rookie record last year, 2024 rookie Jalen Wright, and veteran Raheem Mostert, who’s coming off a career year with 21 total touchdowns and his first ever Pro Bowl appearance.
“We’ve got playmakers all across the board,” says Mostert. “But we feel like to set the tone, it’s definitely the run game and that’s what gets the party started. And then of course, we’ve some unbelievable receivers out there and tight ends that can just take the top off at any moment, so as long as you have that understanding that we’re going to play smashmouth ball at the beginning and set our tone, then that’s what you’re able to dictate the outcome of the game. So that’s just our mindset for this offense.”
Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel confirmed on Monday that edge rusher Bradley Chubb would start the season on the physically unable to perform list, while veteran wide receiver Odell, Beckham is still to be determined, after not practicing throughout training camp.