The Miami Dolphins, after moving on from head coach Mike McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier and installing Jeff Hafley and Jon-Eric Sullivan in their place, put together a roster that isn't built to compete in the NFL this year.
With over $180 million in dead cap, the Dolphins are only spending $117.54 million in active cap this year, which is the lowest in the league. Miami moved on from most of their best players over the offseason, brought in an unproven Malik Willis to run their offense without much talent around him.
Over the first five weeks, the Dolphins haven't won a game, and they've been missing a few players who are dealing with injuries, and that's an even bigger deal when the roster is already so thin.
While they aren't playing
this week, these are the eight players Miami could get back on the field in Week 7 against the New York Jets.
WR Caleb Douglas
Douglas, one of Miami's third-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, caught seven passes for 113 yards in the first two games of his rookie year before suffering an ankle injury. He's missed the last three games, but when he returns, he should be one of Willis' top targets again.
TE Justin Joly
Joly was a fifth-round pick of the Denver Broncos this year who Miami claimed off waivers at the start of the season. He's only appeared in one game so far, and he missed last week with a concussion. If he returns, it will be as the third or fourth tight end behind Greg Dulcich, Will Kacmarek and possibly Seydou Traore.
DE Robert Beal Jr.
Beal joined the Dolphins on a one-year deal this offseason after three years with the San Francisco 49ers. Over the first two weeks of the season, he played 34 defensive snaps and 28 on special teams, recording one tackle. He's missed the last three weeks with a hamstring injury, but when he returns, he'll likely rotate in with Joshua Uche, Chop Robinson and Malik Herring on the edge.
CB Reese Taylor
Taylor, like Joly, was a waiver claim before Week 1 after a stint with the Kansas City Chiefs and three years with the Broncos. In three games this year, he has two tackles on special teams without playing a single defensive snap. He's missed the last two weeks with a quad injury suffered during a punt.
LB/S Kyle Louis
Louis, one of Miami's fourth-round picks this year, suffered an MCL sprain in their Week 1 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. He had played three defensive snaps and 14 special teams snaps in the opener before going down. He's been on injured reserve since then, but he could return to action as a rotational player at both linebacker and safety in Week 7.
LB Ronnie Harrison Jr.
Harrison joined the Dolphins on a one-year contract this offseason after stints with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts and Atlanta Falcons. The two-time national champion re-aggrivated a hamstring injury in the season opener and landed on injured reserve. He could return in Week 7 and provide depth at both linebacker and on special teams.
LB/DE Trey Moore
Moore, another of Miami's fourth-round picks, suffered an ankle injury in preseason that required surgery and forced him onto injured reserve to start the year. It's unclear when he'll be ready to go, but he's alllowed to come back anytime now. The Dolphins could use the help on the edge and the depth at linebacker.
CB Storm Duck
Duck joined the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2024 and played 16 games over his first two seasons. He missed most of last year with a knee injury that also kept him out for the offseason and landed him on the reserve/PUP list. He's already returned to practice, so it appears he's nearing his return, which could really help a questionable cornerback room.
CB Darrell Baker Jr.
Baker signed with Miami after stints with the Arziona Cardinals, Indianapoli Colts and Tennessee Titans. An undisclosed injury landed him on PUP during the offseason, and while he hasn't returned to practice just yet, he did post a picture of him in uniform this week, leading some to speculate if his return is imminent. With 51 appearances and 25 starts, he'd be the most experienced cornerback in the room, which should help the young group.
This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: 8 Dolphins who could return from injury after bye week
