MIAMI GARDENS ― The Miami Dolphins played the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Oct. 11, with ten rookies dressed to play.
Unfortunately, rookie receiver Caleb Douglas (ankle) was unable to go for a third straight game.
The Dolphins were not good enough in a 28-18 loss to the Bengals.
Miami is 0-5, heading into a bye week. Cincinnati is 3-2.
Here is a rookie report card for Week 5:
Miami Dolphins rookies report card vs. Cincinnati Bengals
G Kadyn Proctor
Proctor allowed some pressure on a play where Malik Willis ended up throwing an interception. The ball was tipped by a rushing defender.
The Dolphins did have some success on the ground. And Willis was not repeatedly sacked.
Grade: C+
CB Chris Johnson
Chris Johnson caused a forced fumble in the second quarter with a punch. The Dolphins eventually recovered the fumble after it was briefly lost.
Unfortunately Bengals QB Joe Burrow had four total touchdown passes.
Grade: C+
LB Jacob Rodriguez
Jacob Rodriguez was in coverage on a Bengals touchdown catch by tight end Mike Gesicki in the first quarter. Miami has been hurt by tight ends this season and in recent seasons.
Rodriguez was in coverage on an incompletion underneath to Ja'Marr Chase. In the second quarter, Rodriguez was in coverage when Joe Burrow completed a red zone touchdown to running back Samaje Perine.
Grade: C-
WR Chris Bell
Chris Bell appeared to be impeded by a defender on what could have been a short completion from Malik Willis in the first half.
Bell had a 26-yard gain on an end-around run off a pitch from Willis.
Grade: C
WR Kevin Coleman
Kevin Coleman was the intended target on an interception by Malik Willis in the second quarter. Then Coleman was the intended target on a second interception by Willis in the second quarter.
Coleman caught a short touchdown in the back of the end zone in the fourth quarter to help pull Miami within 28-18 in the fourth quarter.
Grade: C+
TE Will Kacmarek
Kacmarek helped the Dolphins gain some traction on the ground.
Grade: C+
S Michael Taaffe
Michael Taaffe forced a fumble that was recovered by Willie Gay near the sideline. But Gay was ruled to be out of bounds and Miami did not get credit for the turnover.
Grade: C+
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Threads and Instagram and X at @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Dolphins rookie Jacob Rodriguez gives up some plays in Bengals loss
