Jalen Ramsey

Dolphins Restructures: Ramsey, Armstead, Sieler, Ingold, Smythe

March 24th, 2024 at 9:58pm CST by Ely Allen

The Dolphins were in a dangerous situation working with quite a precarious cap number. In an effort to get within compliance, Miami reworked the deals of several players in order to lessen their respective salary cap impacts.

One of the biggest deals to get done was the restructure of star cornerback Jalen Ramsey. According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the team converted $13.89MM of Ramsey’s 2024 base salary (now only $1.21MM) and an $11MM roster bonus into a signing bonus while adding an additional void year to the two already in existence at the end of his contract.

The work put in by both sides resulted in a cap clearance of $19.91MM.

Here are a few other restructured deals the Dolphins utilized to increase their available cap space:

We mentioned after the re-signing of offensive guard Robert Jones that an adjusted contract was on the way for left tackle Terron Armstead. Lo and behold, per Daniel Oyefusi of the Miami Herald, Armstead will accept a $4.25MM pay cut in 2024 while bringing in $10MM of guaranteed salary. His new deal includes a $7.29MM signing bonus, as well. The adjustments cleared another $10.29MM of cap space for the Dolphins.
It was Michael Ginnitti at Spotrac.com who informed us of the remaining adjustments. Defensive lineman Zach Sieler contributed by agreeing to convert $7.01MM of his 2024 base salary (now only $1.13MM) into a signing bonus while adding two void years to the end of his deal, resulting in the clearance of $5.6MM of cap space. Fullback Alec Ingold chipped in by agreeing to convert $2.08MM of his 2024 salary (now also $1.13MM) into a signing bonus while adding two void years to the end of his contract, as well, resulting in $1.66MM of cap space clearance. Finally, tight end Durham Smythe agreed to convert $2MM of his 2024 base salary (now also $1.13MM) into a signing bonus while adding three void years to the end of his current deal, resulting in $1.6MM of new cap space. Oyefusi points out that the addition of all those void years speaks to the dire nature of the team’s salary cap position. They ended up finding cap compliance in time for the new league year, but the cap hits of those void years will find them eventually.

Coaching Notes: Vrabel, Fangio, Dolphins, Eagles, Marrone, Saints, Titans, Bills

February 6th, 2024 at 4:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

Seeing as Mike Vrabel went from highly regarded HC to trade candidate to bumped off this year’s carousel entirely, potential reasoning behind the ex-Titans boss’ standing is certainly relevant. Vrabel’s old-school, intimidating style may have been a factor in him not landing a job, with a GM going so far as to mention to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini this even could even extend to his physical stature. The former NFL linebacker also may have found himself pigeonholed as a slightly older candidate, even at 48, than some owners wanted, Russini offered during an appearance on The Athletic Football Show. Only Jim Harbaugh (60) and Dan Quinn (53) was older among this year’s eight HC hires. Vrabel interviewed for the Falcons, Panthers and Chargers’ jobs.

Some teams were interested in hiring Vrabel as a defensive coordinator, Russini adds, but the six-year NFL HC has not been connected to any specific coordinator jobs. With not many DC positions left, Vrabel seems likely to join Bill Belichick as coaches on the outside looking in this year. Vrabel may stand to have a better chance of landing another HC job moving forward, with Belichick set to turn 72 in April. For now, however, he is out of the league. The reports about Vrabel clashing with Titans ownership may have impacted his chances as well.

Here is the latest from the coaching ranks:

On the subject of coaching clashes, Vic Fangio‘s style did not appear to draw universal praise while with the Dolphins. Jalen Ramsey, Jevon Holland and rookie Cam Smith expressed issues with the veteran DC, ProFootballNetwork.com’s Adam Beasley notes. While praising Fangio’s old-school demands, Tyreek Hill also relayed a rumor about others indicating behind closed doors the team’s 2023 DC wanted to return to Philadelphia. Previously mentioned as rubbing some in Miami the wrong way, Fangio is indeed back with the Eagles. The Dolphins have hired ex-Ravens D-line coach Anthony Weaver to replace him.
Preparing to hire Klint Kubiak as offensive coordinator, the Saints will not extend Doug Marrone‘s second stint with the team into the 2024 season. In place as the Saints’ offensive line coach from 2022-23, Marrone will not be asked back, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.football tweets. The Saints have veteran O-line coach John Benton as a frontrunner to fill the spot, NOLA.com’s Luke Johnson adds. Benton, 60, would be a logical hire. He worked as Gary Kubiak‘s O-line coach for eight years in Houston and was the 49ers’ O-line coach under Kyle Shanahan from 2017-20. After following Robert Saleh to New York in 2021, Benton spent this past season out of football.
Former Falcons assistants Steve Jackson and Frank Bush will be part of new Titans DC Dennard Wilson‘s staff, ESPN.com’s Turron Davenport tweets. A former Texans DC and interim Jets DC, Bush was on Arthur Smith‘s Falcons staff as linebackers coach for three years. This will be a return trip for Jackson, who has a history as a player and a coach with the franchise. A former Oilers cornerback, Jackson finished his career in Super Bowl XXXIV with the Titans. He later served as assistant DBs coach under Mike Mularkey in Tennessee from 2016-17. Jackson spent the past two seasons with the Falcons.
The Bills are moving senior defensive assistant Al Holcomb to a position coach role. The former Panthers DC will replace Bobby Babich as Buffalo’s linebackers coach, ESPN.com’s Alaina Getzenberg notes. Babich is now Buffalo’s DC. Holcomb, who worked with Sean McDermott in Carolina, joined the Bills last year. The AFC East champs are also promoting Marcus West from assistant defensive line coach to D-line coach to replace Eric Washington, who became the Bears’ DC last month.

Dolphins Activate CB Jalen Ramsey

October 28th, 2023 at 3:05pm CST by Adam La Rose

As expected, Jalen Ramsey is on track to make his Dolphins debut tomorrow. The All-Pro corner was officially activated from injured reserve on Saturday.

Ramsey has been out through the start of the 2023 season, his first in Miami. He was originally not expected to recover from his meniscus repair until next month, but optimism for a quicker timeline has since been put in place. A report from earlier this week pointed to Week 8 as the point at which Ramsey could be activated, and the team has now taken the expected step of activating him in time for Sunday’s game.

The Dolphins traded for the six-time Pro Bowler in March, leading to expectations for a dramatic improvement in their secondary. Under new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, Miami has put up middling performances against the pass so far while recording just three interceptions. Ramsey will be a welcomed addition to a CB room which just saw Nik Needham activated from the PUP list.

Ramsey, 29, has recovered well ahead of schedule with recent indications suggesting an earlier-than-expected return to the field. Plenty of attention will no doubt be on him with respect to his mobility coming off a major knee injury, but also his ability to live up to expectations with the Dolphins, who guaranteed his 2024 salary as part of the trade agreement with the Rams (which saw a third-round pick and tight end Hunter Long sent Los Angeles’ way). The Florida State alum’s pact runs through 2025, so his performance will be a key talking point given his new team’s commitment to him.

The Dolphins have Xavien Howard and Kader Kohou in place as starters, and Ramsey will take his place opposite the former on the perimeter when he suits up. Eli Apple has managed to carve out a rotational role so far, but Ramsey’s activation should relegate him to a lesser workload moving forward (as has been the case to date for second-round rookie Cam Smith). It will be interesting to see how the team’s CB arrangement with respect to Needham and Kohou in particular shakes out with Ramsey back in the fold.

Clearing the latter to suit up will leave Miami with five IR activations for the rest of the season. To make room for Ramsey on the active roster, depth corner Parry Nickerson was released.

Jalen Ramsey Expected To Return This Week

October 26th, 2023 at 10:09pm CST by Ely Allen

The Dolphins have been continuously optimistic about the recovery of cornerback Jalen Ramsey from what was reported to be a full meniscus repair that the veteran underwent in late-July, originally expressing hope that he could be back from knee surgery as soon as November. It appears that Ramsey is set to surpass even that extremely optimistic deadline as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the All-Pro cornerback is expected to return this Sunday against the Patriots.

Miami stunned many when they opened his 21-day practice window last Wednesday. By doing so, the team was risking losing Ramsey to season-ending injured reserve if he was unable to make a return by the end of the 21 days. Although nothing is official yet, the finish line appears to be in view for Ramsey’s insanely speedy recovery.

The injury, originally thought to be a displaced meniscus tear, which would’ve required that full meniscus repair, was apparently an outer rim meniscal tear, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, allowing the injury to be repaired with a trim. A full repair would’ve necessitated a recovery timeline of five to six months, while an outer rim tear, which receives better blood flow, can heal on a timeline closer to 12 weeks, which seems to explain the change from a late-season return prediction to what we’re seeing now.

To be perfectly clear, this is solely a reported expectation from the Dolphins, as Ramsey himself has made perfectly clear. Shortly after the news broke from ESPN, Ramsey took to X (formerly Twitter) to clarify that, while “there’s a CHANCE that (he) can play this Sunday…that decision genuinely (hasn’t been) made yet.” This isn’t necessarily Ramsey refuting the report, he’s simply clarifying that the news isn’t coming from him, and as far as he’s concerned, the decision is still his to make. He goes on to say that he will only play if he feels “great.” Anything less than that, and Ramsey will continue to sit.

Ramsey’s refusal to commit to a Week 8 return is more in line with the reports yesterday from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler who claimed that the team is considering waiting until Miami’s bye week to bring Ramsey back. Fowler makes it clear that there’s a road that sees Ramsey back earlier, but the way the Dolphins timed their designation for return, Ramsey would be able to wait until the team’s two-week break to officially come back.

Miami had to drastically shift its plan in the secondary with Ramsey out. Kader Kohou has once again stepped up to start across from Xavien Howard, like he did as an undrafted rookie last year, but both have been banged up lately with Howard sitting out of the team’s loss to the Eagles. Last-second offseason addition Eli Apple has been able to contribute, but second-round rookie Cam Smith has yet to establish a role in the Dolphins’ secondary. A huge contributor last year, Nik Needham has also been out on the reserve/physically unable to perform list, getting activated from the PUP just yesterday. The addition of Ramsey would be another huge relief to the Miami cornerbacks group.

Essentially, all this to say that things are looking increasingly optimistic for the Dolphins and Ramsey. He’ll almost certainly make his return by the conclusion of the team’s bye week, but it sounds like the team is confident that they may see him suit up this weekend against Miami’s division rival.

Dolphins Open CB Jalen Ramsey’s Practice Window

October 18th, 2023 at 12:10pm CST by Sam Robinson

12:10pm: Ramsey will not play against the Eagles on Sunday night, Mike McDaniel confirmed. But the second-year HC is “very optimistic” Ramsey will return sooner rather than later, the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson tweets. While Ramsey will not play against the Eagles, Jeff Wilson will be activated off IR in time for Week 7. McDaniel said the running back, who went on IR with finger and rib and finger injuries, was ready to go last week, Wolfe tweets. Roster math halted the Dolphins from activating Wilson, but he should be expected to be the team’s second IR activation this season.

8:10am: The growing optimism about Jalen Ramsey‘s return timetable will lead to the Dolphins opening his practice window earlier than expected. Initially viewed as potentially needing recovery time into December, the recent trade acquisition will be on track to come back sooner.

The Dolphins are expected to open Ramsey’s 21-day practice window Wednesday, NFL.com’s Cameron Wolfe tweets. Ramsey practicing today would mean he must come off IR by Nov. 8. The All-Pro cornerback is believed to be far ahead of schedule, and today’s transaction will prove that.

It took only a third-round pick and backup tight end Hunter Long for the Dolphins to acquire Ramsey, who has been one of this NFL period’s premier corners. Ramsey, who will turn 29 next week, seeking a contract adjustment led to the reduced trade compensation. And the Dolphins guaranteeing the eighth-year veteran’s 2024 salary after the trade provided security for Ramsey as he recovers from the meniscus injury he suffered during training camp. He appears close to recovering from the knee setback, which would be a significant development for a Dolphins team that has been one of the NFL’s best through six games.

While Miami’s offense is soaring, Vic Fangio‘s defense sits in the bottom half of the league. But Ramsey represented the other pillar in the Dolphins’ defensive plan this offseason. Paying Fangio more than $4.5MM to work as Mike McDaniel‘s right-hand man, the Dolphins formed one of the NFL’s highest-profile CB tandems by obtaining Ramsey to play across from Xavien Howard. But Fangio’s recent run of bad injury luck followed him to South Florida. After seeing Bradley Chubb and Von Miller rarely suit up together in Denver, the acclaimed defensive mind lost Ramsey from his new equation early. That equation is about to change for the better.

Ramsey went down in late July, and while an initial report revealed a six- to eight-week return timetable, he underwent full meniscus repair surgery that moved back the re-emergence date until the season’s second half. Shortly after Dolphins cornerbacks coach Sam Madison said November would be a realistic return window, Ramsey is close to beating even that proclamation. His comeback would strengthen a defense that ranks 20th in points allowed and 26th in yards yielded.

The former Jaguars top-five pick has three first-team All-Pro honors on his resume. No active cornerback matches that, with the first of Patrick Peterson‘s three such achievements coming for return-game work. Requiring two first-round picks as a 2019 trade acquisition, Ramsey played a lead role in helping the Rams to a Super Bowl title. He earned first-team All-Pro acclaim in 2020 and ’21, and while the Rams struggled last season as they lost key personnel to injuries, Pro Football Focus still ranked Ramsey as a top-five corner.

Miami has used Kader Kohou as a regular alongside Howard this season; this is a familiar role for the 2022 UDFA, who stepped in for Byron Jones as he could not recover for the 2022 season. Late-summer addition Eli Apple has cleared the 250-snap barrier, with veteran special-teamer Justin Bethel also seeing a regular role in Fangio’s defense. Second-round pick Cam Smith has not carved out a spot in Fangio’s defense.

The Dolphins’ schedule heats up this week, with the Eagles on tap. After a Week 8 date against the Patriots, the Dolphins head to Germany for a Chiefs tilt. Ramsey returning ahead of that Nov. 5 matchup would obviously strengthen the team’s chances of prevailing in what stands to be a pivotal overseas matchup — perhaps the biggest game the NFL has sent to Europe — for AFC home-field advantage purposes.

NFL Injury Updates: Giants, Achane, Ramsey, Watson

October 15th, 2023 at 7:07pm CST by Ely Allen

While one-game injuries are not usually worthy of mention, the Giants‘ situation at offensive line this week is a wild exception. It would be difficult to look back and find a more dire example of desperation on a depth chart. With regular starter Andrew Thomas and primary backup Matt Peart already designated out for tonight’s game against the Bills, according to Ryan Dunleavy of NY Post Sports, any other adjustments to availability could prove disastrous.

Semi-luckily for New York, the team’s other regular starter, Evan Neal, who was questionable coming into today, will be available to play tonight, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. The Giants’ other projected starter will be Joshua Ezeudu, who has struggled mightily as of late. Beyond those two, Marcus McKethan is the only other tackle listed on the depth chart, while Yodny Cajuste and Jaylon Thomas sit on the practice squad but weren’t elevated for today’s game.

Things could get ugly if Neal tweaks his knee or if the offensive line faces any further adversity. Hopefully, this is only just a one-week issue that the Giants will be clear of following this week’s trip to Buffalo.

Here are a few other injury updates from around the league:

After a blazing hot start to his NFL career, Dolphins rookie running back De’Von Achane was placed on injured reserve this week after suffering a knee injury. Based on the league’s rules for returning from IR, Achane wouldn’t be eligible for activation from the injury list until after the team’s Week 10 bye. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, that’s exactly when Achane plans to come back. Achane’s absence isn’t expected to be any longer than necessary as Miami is expecting a Week 11 return for the 22-year-old.
We reported this week that Dolphins cornerbacks coach Sam Madison had faith that we may see cornerback Jalen Ramsey return from knee surgery as early as November. That opinion was confirmed today by multiple sources. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Ramsey is far ahead of schedule and that a return by Week 11, after the team’s bye week, is not out of the question, allowing the star defender to play in Miami’s final eight games of the regular season. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that Ramsey could return to practice as soon as this week, cautioning that the team may still choose to ease him back in “gradually” but that an early return is becoming more and more feasible.
Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has been week-to-week while missing the team’s last two games with a shoulder injury. While that status doesn’t really change with Schefter’s recent report that Watson could return as soon as next week, Schefter did specify that Watson is dealing with a subscapularis muscle contusion in the rotator cuff of his throwing shoulder, making it difficult for him to drive the ball down the field. According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, Cleveland is being “smart” with Watson, whom it views as its franchise quarterback.

AFC East Notes: Patriots, Ramsey, Bills

October 12th, 2023 at 1:53pm CST by Sam Robinson

While this year featured a modest receiver market, the Patriots made an important update to their pass-catching corps by letting Jakobi Meyers walk and replacing him with JuJu Smith-Schuster. Meyers signed a three-year, $33MM deal with the Raiders, and the Patriots added Smith-Schuster for three years and $25.5MM soon after. Guarantee-wise, however, Smith-Schuster’s $16MM matched Meyers’ locked-in sum. The Pats were believed to be unwilling to go to $16MM guaranteed for Meyers, though Bill Belichick said this week (via MassLive.com’s Chris Mason) the former UDFA find was a priority for the team.

Belichick confirmed the sides engaged in discussions, and the legendary HC said the parties were “relatively” close to a deal. At the time, it did not appear these talks were too close to producing a deal; the Pats were believed to be leery of Meyers’ price tag. Meyers’ comments in the wake of Smith-Schuster’s signing suggested he did not view the Patriots as especially eager to bring him back. Meyers has enjoyed a solid start back with Josh McDaniels. The four-year Patriot, despite missing a game due to a concussion, has 25 receptions for 274 yards and three touchdowns. Smith-Schuster, who led Chiefs wide receivers in yardage by a wide margin last season, is at 14-86-0 through five games.

Here is the latest from the AFC East:

Jalen Ramsey‘s meniscus surgery altered the Dolphins‘ cornerback plans significantly, and a return as late as December entered the equation following the procedure. But the 4-1 team looks to be eyeing a Ramsey return commencing a bit sooner. When asked if he could see Ramsey coming back in November, cornerbacks coach Sam Madison responded in the affirmative. “Yeah, speaking with trainers, he looks really good,” Madison said, via the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson. “Very hopeful and looking forward to getting him on the field.” This marks the biggest chunk of time Ramsey has missed as a pro. Following his March arrival from Los Angeles, Ramsey agreed to a redone contract that guaranteed his 2024 salary, which will provide security after this abbreviated season.
Weeks 4 and 5 gutted the Bills‘ defense. The unit lost its top cornerback, top linebacker and its best interior D-lineman. Tre’Davious White, Matt Milano and DaQuan Jones are each on IR. On that note, ESPN.com’s Graziano offers that the Bills should be expected to look around for defensive help ahead of the Oct. 31 trade deadline. With Von Miller in his age-34 season and Stefon Diggs turning 30 next month, this certainly profiles as a critical season for the Bills — especially on the heels of a one-sided playoff loss. The team has each of its picks in the first five rounds next year and holds three sixth-rounders. Early-season trades point to the Round 6 selections being relevant regarding potential Buffalo additions.
The Bills fired COO John Roth and senior VP/general counsel Kathryn D’Angelo for engaging in an inappropriate romantic relationship, The Athletic’s Tim Graham reports (subscription required). Roth, whom the Bills promoted this summer, served as D’Angelo’s superior. This issue surfaced in London. Although D’Angelo joined Roth in reporting to owner Terry Pegula, Graham adds Roth recommended her promotion. Josh Dziurlikowski will serve as the team’s interim COO, per Graham, moving up from senior VP of finance and business administration.
In September, the Patriots added $2MM in incentives to Trent Brown‘s contract. Details have emerged, via ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss, who notes the adjustment includes $250K in per-game roster bonuses. Seven tiers of playing-time incentives now exist in Brown’s deal, with a $250K payoff in place for hitting each. Brown’s cap number dropped by $375K as well, settling in at $12.21MM. A 2024 void year is now in place, with the Pats set for a $2MM dead-money hit if they do not re-sign Brown before the 2024 league year starts. Brown signed a two-year, $13MM deal in 2022. The veteran tackle, who missed 19 games from 2019-21, has been available for four New England contests this season.

Dolphins Place CB Jalen Ramsey, RB Jeff Wilson On IR

August 31st, 2023 at 9:41am CST by Sam Robinson

Jalen Ramsey is not set to make his Dolphins debut for months. With the All-Pro cornerback in the team’s plans for 2023, he needed to be placed on the 53-man roster before an IR move could commence. The latter transaction will take place Thursday morning.

Ramsey is now on IR, and running back Jeff Wilson joins him. The latter sustained a finger injury recently. The Dolphins also placed offensive lineman Robert Jones on IR and signed cornerback Justin Bethel. Wilson must miss at least four games because of this designation. Mike McDaniel said a midsection issue also led to Wilson landing on IR; the second-year coach added he “wouldn’t be surprised” if Wilson returns this season, via the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson. That comment does not make it sound like Wilson is a lock to come back when first eligible.

Thursday’s moves give the Dolphins three potential IR-return players. Ramsey’s knee injury required surgery, a procedure that is expected to sideline the trade acquisition until at least December. Teams can bring up to eight players off IR per season, with the NFL reintroducing a limit on such moves last year.

Wilson will begin a second season on an injured list in three years. He opened the 2021 campaign on the 49ers’ reserve/PUP list due to an offseason foot injury. Formerly playing for McDaniel in San Francisco, Wilson reunited with the former 49ers run-game coordinator via a deadline-day trade last year. The veteran running back joined fellow ex-49er Raheem Mostert in re-signing with the Dolphins this offseason. Both stayed on one-year deals. The Dolphins also reupped Myles Gaskin in March, but after a release Tuesday, the fifth-year back signed with the Vikings.

Miami kept five halfbacks on its active roster. Wilson’s injury looks to have factored into that decision. Mostert, third-round pick Devon Achane, Salvon Ahmed and rookie UDFA Chris Brooks comprise the Dolphins’ group of available backs to start the season. Wilson, 27, hit the ground running in Miami last year. He averaged 4.7 yards per carry, gaining 368 and totaling three touchdowns in eight games with the Dolphins.

This injury opens the door for an early-season Achane workload, though the Texas A&M product is also dealing with an injury. Achane is not a lock to start the season on time, per McDaniel (via Jackson). Despite only coming into the draft with four selections, Miami used one on a running back. The Dolphins have also scoured the trade market and free agency for available standouts. After being connected to Dalvin Cook for months, the team went back and forth in negotiations with the Colts on Jonathan Taylor. Although no deal commenced — due in part to the Dolphins viewing the Colts’ ask as exorbitant, as one Indianapolis proposal included Jaylen Waddle — the parties can reconnect in talks ahead of the October 31 trade deadline.

Bethel, 33, re-signed with the Dolphins in March and was among the veterans the team released on cutdown day. Miami continues to have the ace special-teamer in its plans, however.

Jalen Ramsey Undergoes Surgery, Expected To Miss Extensive Time

July 28th, 2023 at 1:48pm CST by Adam La Rose

1:48pm: The surgery Ramsey underwent will force the Dolphins to drastically alter their cornerback plan this season. Ramsey underwent a full meniscus repair Friday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter), adding that the operation is expected to sideline the recent trade acquisition until December. Ramsey’s post-trade contract reworking fully guaranteed his 2024 salary, giving the ex-Jaguars and Rams standout some security as he prepares for rehab.

11:57am: The Dolphins’ new-look defense suffered a blow yesterday when All-Pro corner Jalen Ramsey suffered a knee injury which will require surgery. Further updates on his status and how the team is reacting to the news have emerged.

Ramsey suffered a non-contact injury, head coach Mike McDaniel indicated on Friday. The required surgery will take place later today, and the success of that procedure will determine his recovery timeline. In any event, though, Ramsey will indeed miss the beginning of the regular season as originally feared (Twitter link via Adam Beasley of Pro Football Network).

The Dolphins acquired the six-time Pro Bowler as part of their efforts to upgrade their secondary this offseason. A role which would see him play both on the boundary and in the slot under new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio was thought to be in play, but those plans will be on hold for now. McDaniel expressed confidence in the team’s remaining crop of corners, but he added (via Beasley, on Twitter) that Miami will work out depth options in the near future.

A number of experienced options remain on the open market, including William Jackson, Ronald Darby, Casey Hayward and Troy Hill. Byron Jones is also unsigned, but his Dolphins release is believed to have marked an official end to his playing days. Miami currently has just under $13.5MM in cap space, giving them plenty of flexibility to add a low-cost veteran to help offset the loss of Ramsey for what could be an extended period.

The Dolphins must approach any CB signings with the knowledge that they are still in the running for Dalvin Cook, however. A homecoming for the four-time Pro Bowl running back remains a possibility, though his upcoming Jets visit could very well lead him elsewhere in the AFC East. Attention will be paid to the success of Ramsey’s operation, but it will be worth watching how the Dolphins react after it is completed as they look to withstand the absence of their prized offseason acquisition.

Dolphins CB Jalen Ramsey To Undergo Knee Surgery, Likely To Miss Start Of Season

July 27th, 2023 at 9:49pm CST by Ben Levine

Jalen Ramsey‘s debut with the Dolphins likely won’t come in Week 1 after the cornerback suffered a knee injury during practice today. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter), Ramsey will undergo knee surgery and is expected to miss the start of the regular season.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reveals on Twitter that the All-Pro cornerback suffered a meniscus injury that could force him to miss six to eight weeks. Pelissero clarifies (on Twitter) that the best-case scenario would see Ramsey back on the field “right around the season opener.” The worst-case scenario would see the veteran sidelined for much longer, and the player’s timeline will be determined following surgery. Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network tweets that a meniscus trim would result in a speedier recovery, while a “full repair” would sideline Ramsey for much longer.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweets that doctors will determine during surgery what the best course of action is for the player. While a source cautioned that no decision has been made, RapSheet notes that the “likely outcome” would be a full meniscus repair. While this route would be the “best and healthiest option,” it would also keep Ramsey off the field until around December. For what it’s worth, Ramsey tweeted that the “end of the season push” will be “legendary,” perhaps an indication that he’ll miss more than the season opener.

Fortunately, we should have some clarity soon, as Wolfe tweets that Ramsey will have surgery on the meniscus in his left knee tomorrow. The cornerback suffered the injury during practice today after colliding with receiver Tyreek Hill. Ramsey was seen grabbing the back of his knee before he left the field. As Wolfe notes on Twitter, Ramsey previously suffered a meniscus injury in 2016 when he was a rookie with the Jaguars.

The Dolphins sent the Rams a third-round pick and tight end Hunter Long for Ramsey back in March. The 28-year-old earned his sixth-straight Pro Bowl nod in 2022, finishing with a career-high 88 tackles to go along with four interceptions and 18 pass breakups. Pro Football Focus graded Ramsey as the third-best cornerback among 118 qualifiers in 2022, with the site giving him top-10 positional marks during each of his three-plus seasons in Los Angeles (including a 2021 campaign where he finished first).

Besides his top-end production, Miami added the high-priced cornerback because of his playoff success and his versatility. The acquisition was expected to play opposite Xavien Howard on the outside with Kader Kohou manning the slot, but there were recent reports that Ramsey could see plenty of time in the slot for Miami in 2023. With Ramsey sidelined, the Dolphins could lean even more on Kohou during his second season in the NFL, and second-round rookie Cam Smith should also have an opportunity to step into a role right away. Miami will also eventually welcome back Nik Needham, who continues to recover from an Achilles injury that ended his 2022 season early.

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