MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins’ offense turned in its best performance of training camp Sunday as the team held its first practice in front of fans during “Back Together Weekend” at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens.
Hundreds of fans packed the stands for the non-padded workout, the first open practice of the Jon-Eric Sullivan and Jeff Hafley era.
Practice began with special teams drills, where wide receivers Kevin Coleman Jr., Malik Washington and Tahj Washington rotated at kick returner as the Dolphins opened the day.
The offense quickly found its rhythm.
On the first play of practice, running back De’Von Achane broke through the left side of the Dolphins offensive line behind offensive tackle Patrick Paul and offensive guard Kadyn Proctor for what would have been a 10-yard run with the first-team offense.
Quarterback Malik Willis responded with a few solid gains after defensive tackle Jordan Phillips forced him out of the pocket for an incompletion on his first throw of the day.
It didn’t take Willis long to settle in as he found tight end Cole Turner on a 10-yard out route. Turner made a contested catch over linebacker Jordyn Brooks in tight coverage. Willis then connected with receiver Malik Washington for a 20-yard gain on a slant route.
Willis also connected with South Florida native Tutu Atwell on a 60-yard deep slant pattern, but safety Dante Trader Jr. tracked him down and stopped him at the opposing 10-yard line.
The biggest play of the day came when Quinn Ewers stepped in with the second-team offense and connected with receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. for a 70-yard touchdown after cornerback Marco Wilson slipped midway through the route.
Wide receiver AJ Henning, who is entering his second NFL season, was one of the standouts of Sunday’s practice. He hauled in two touchdown receptions — one from Malik Willis and one Ewers — including catches of more than 50 yards, continuing his impressive start to training camp.
The Dolphins’ young receivers consistently stretched the field throughout practice, and several cornerbacks struggled at times after surrendering long touchdown completions to Henning and Coleman.
The defense still made several plays despite the offense’s strong showing. Defensive tackles Kenneth Grant and Zach Sieler repeatedly clogged running lanes, combining for several short yardage stops on Achane and running back Ollie Gordon II.
Cornerback Chris Johnson, who was selected with the 27th pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, made the play of the day for the defense, leaping to intercept an Ewers pass near the sideline that was intended for Henning who ran a comeback route.
Rookie linebacker Jacob Rodriguez was active throughout practice, flying to the football and making several would-be stops on ball carriers. EDGE Josh Uche also recorded what would have been a sack after beating right tackle Austin Jackson, who had another difficult day in pass protection.
Sunday marked the Dolphins’ first opportunity to practice in front of fans this summer. The team also added two LED video boards to help keep fans updated throughout practice, while large cooling fans provided relief from the South Florida heat.
It also reflected a shift for a Dolphins organization looking to win its first playoff game since the 2000 season.
There were no players greeting fans before practice, no orange jersey awarded to the previous day’s top performer and no music blaring over the speakers. Under Hafley and the new regime, Sunday’s practice had a businesslike atmosphere from start to finish.
There are a lot of young players on this roster who will now get a chance to shine during training camp. The Dolphins drafted 13 players in 2026 — their largest draft class since the NFL adopted a seven-round format in 1994.
The Dolphins will hold their first padded practice of training camp Monday at 9:30 a.m. at the Baptist Health Training Complex.
Injury news
Cornerback Darrell Baker Jr. did not practice Sunday as he continues to recover from what head coach Jeff Hafley called a lower-body injury.
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