Miami Dolphins 2024 Training Camp: Key Battles, Injury Updates, and Playoff Prep

As the sun rises over the Miami Dolphins’ training facility in Davie, Florida, the energy is palpable—this isn’t just another summer of drills and scrimmages. For a team coming off a 11-6 season and a playoff appearance, the 2024 training camp is a make-or-break period to refine chemistry, resolve position battles, and address lingering questions that could determine their Super Bowl fate. From a heated competition at right guard to the return of key players from injury, every moment on the practice field carries weight. Miami Dolphins 2024 Training Camp: Key Battles, Injury Updates, and Playoff Prep takes an inside look at the stories shaping the Dolphins’ preseason, offering insights into how head coach Mike McDaniel and his staff are building a roster capable of challenging the AFC’s elite.

The most intense battle of training camp is unfolding along the offensive line, where veteran Kevin Zeitler and second-year player Robert Hunt are competing for the starting right guard spot—a position that could define the Dolphins’ ability to protect Tua Tagovailoa this season. Zeitler, signed to a two-year, $20 million deal in free agency, brings 12 years of NFL experience and a reputation as a physical run-blocker, but Hunt has impressed coaches with his athleticism and improvement in pass protection. Through the first two weeks of camp, the competition has been neck-and-neck: Zeitler graded out slightly higher in run drills, while Hunt allowed just one pressure in a recent 11-on-11 scrimmage. McDaniel has emphasized that the job isn’t locked up, telling reporters, “We’re looking for consistency—whoever can perform week in and week out will be out there on opening day.” Miami Dolphins 2024 Training Camp: Key Battles, Injury Updates, and Playoff Prep highlights this battle because the right guard spot was a weak link last season (the Dolphins allowed 28 sacks, 10 of which came from the right side), and resolving it could turn an average offensive line into a strength. For Tagovailoa, who has a history of concussions, a stable line isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity.

Injury updates have also dominated camp headlines, with two key defensive players making encouraging progress in their recoveries. Defensive end Jaelan Phillips, who missed six games last season with a shoulder injury, has been a full participant in all contact drills, recording two sacks in a recent scrimmage against the Atlanta Falcons. Phillips, who added 10 pounds of muscle in the offseason, told reporters, “I feel stronger than I ever have—this shoulder is 100%, and I’m ready to prove I can stay healthy for a full season.” Meanwhile, safety Brandon Jones, who tore his ACL in Week 7 of 2023, has started participating in individual drills and is targeting a Week 3 regular-season return. The Dolphins’ training staff has been cautious with Jones, limiting his reps to avoid setbacks, but defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has praised his work ethic: “Brandon’s doing everything we ask—he’s studying film, working on his footwork, and he’s going to be a big part of our secondary when he’s ready.” Miami Dolphins 2024 Training Camp: Key Battles, Injury Updates, and Playoff Prep tracks these recoveries closely because Phillips and Jones are critical to Fangio’s defense—Phillips anchors the pass rush, while Jones provides versatility in the secondary. A healthy return for both could push the Dolphins’ defense into the league’s top 10.

Offensively, the Dolphins are focusing on expanding their playbook to reduce reliance on Tyreek Hill, a strategic shift aimed at making their offense more unpredictable and resilient against elite defenses. Through camp, McDaniel has introduced new formations that feature Hill in the backfield (he took five handoffs in a recent scrimmage) and designed plays that get Jaylen Waddle more involved in the slot (Waddle has caught 18 passes in two preseason practices). Tagovailoa has embraced the change, telling reporters, “We don’t want to be a one-trick pony—if defenses are keying on Tyreek, we need other guys to step up, and this playbook lets us do that.” The adjustment comes after the Dolphins struggled against teams that double-teamed Hill last season (they averaged 10 fewer points per game in those matchups). Miami Dolphins 2024 Training Camp: Key Battles, Injury Updates, and Playoff Prep explores this shift because it addresses a major flaw in the Dolphins’ offense—overreliance on a single player. If Waddle, tight end Durham Smythe, and running back Raheem Mostert can emerge as consistent playmakers, the Dolphins’ offense could become even more difficult to stop than it was in 2023.

Special teams, often an afterthought in training camp, has been a priority for the Dolphins this preseason, with coordinator Danny Crossman leading a push to improve their kickoff and punt return units—areas that ranked 22nd and 18th in the NFL last season, respectively. The Dolphins have been rotating several players in return drills, including wide receiver Erik Ezukanma and rookie running back De’Von Achane, but Ezukanma has stood out, returning a punt 65 yards for a touchdown in a recent practice. Crossman has emphasized the importance of special teams in close games, noting, “We lost three games by three points or less last season—if our return game had given us better field position, those could have been wins.” The Dolphins have also brought in veteran punter Jake Bailey to compete with incumbent Thomas Morstead, adding competition to a unit that needs consistency. Miami Dolphins 2024 Training Camp: Key Battles, Injury Updates, and Playoff Prep shines a light on these efforts because special teams can be the difference between a playoff berth and a missed opportunity. For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, every phase of the game—including special teams—needs to be elite.

Finally, the Dolphins are using training camp to build mental toughness and team cohesion, recognizing that playoff success often depends as much on chemistry as it does on talent. McDaniel has added several team-building activities to the schedule, including a “Dolphins Family Cookout” where players and their families bonded over grilling and games, and a “Late-Night Film Session” where veterans and rookies analyzed plays together in a casual setting. Defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, one of the team’s leaders, says the activities are paying off: “We’re not just teammates—we’re brothers. When you trust the guy next to you, you play harder for him, and that’s what we’re building here.” The Dolphins have also brought in former NFL players, including Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino, to speak to the team about what it takes to win in the playoffs. Miami Dolphins 2024 Training Camp: Key Battles, Injury Updates, and Playoff Prep concludes with this focus on cohesion because the Dolphins have the talent to win the AFC—what they need now is the mental edge to close out games and handle the pressure of a long playoff run. As camp winds down and the regular season approaches, all signs point to a Dolphins team that’s not just ready to compete, but ready to surprise the NFL.