DAVIE, Fla. – As if the postponement of this weekend's season opener by Hurricane Irma wasn't deflating enough for the Dolphins, the team had to do some real deflating ahead of the storm.
Dolphins officials made the decision to deflate their practice bubble at the team's training facility as a safety precaution.
It is the first time in 12 years the Dolphins have made the move, the last time coming in 2005 when Hurricane Wilma hit South Florida.
“Safety is the number one priority as we prepare for Hurricane Irma and we are taking every precaution necessary in anticipation of the storm,” a team spokesperson told Local 10.
Sky 10 was overhead when workers could be seen shoring up the structure in preparation for a possible strike from Irma over the weekend.
NFL Network's Jeff Darlington was the first to notice the deflated dome.
Instead of opening the season Sunday vs. the Buccaneers at Hard Rock Stadium, the Dolphins will have an early bye week and will now face Tampa Bay on Nov. 19.
Dolphins currently deflating indoor practice facility -- "the bubble" -- for 1st time in 12 years. They last took this precaution for Wilma. pic.twitter.com/PXq3PWKWX6
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) September 6, 2017