MIAMI — It’s time to scrap any kind of plans we might have had, and start all over because in seven practices the Miami Dolphins’ secondary has gone from a problem area, a troublesome unit, to a group in crisis.

That’s what happens when a unit that was already perceived as one of the team’s thinnest suffered its third serious injury to a veteran expected to contribute in 2025.

First it was Artie Burns, one of the few grizzled veterans with starting experience, who sustained a season-ending knee injury on the first drill of training camp’s first day.

Next it was Kader Kohou, the accomplished, established starting nickel cornerback who sustained what coach Mike McDaniel just confirmed was a season-ending knee injury during Saturday’s practice on a noncontact play while covering Tyreek Hill.

Then on Tuesday Ashtyn Davis, the front-runner to become the safety paired with Minkah Fitzpatrick, sustains a left leg injury during another noncontact play.

Pair that with the fact Ifeatu Melifonwu, the other veteran safety added in free agency, came into training camp with a leg injury he’s rehabbing on the side, and it’s a perfect storm of misfortune for a Dolphins unit that was already the team’s most troublesome, doubted group.

“This is a next-man-up type of business,” said cornerback Cam Smith. “That’s what it is.”

Oddly, it’s the Dolphins’ decision-makers who put the team in this problematic spot.

All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who was traded to Pittsburgh, was voted off the island this offseason because his mercenary ways didn’t foster a healthy culture for a coach and general manager on the hot seat.

Kendall Fuller, the other starting boundary cornerback, was released in February because the knee injury he sustained late season was going to sideline him nine to 12 months.

Miami let safety Jevon Holland depart as a free agent after he landed a three-year, $45 million contract with the New York Giants, and Jordan Poyer, a 12-year veteran who struggled most of last season, is seemingly being pushed into retirement.

Outside of adding Burns, the Dolphins didn’t add another veteran cornerback in free agency until Kendall Sheffield impressed the coaches during a rookie camp workout, and Miami opted not to draft any defensive backs until the fifth round, which is when they selected University of Florida cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. and Maryland safety Dante Trader Jr.

Last week the Dolphins added Cornell Armstrong, Jack Jones and Mike Hilton, three veterans who were out of work for various reasons, but was it too little, too late?

That question has to be asked because someone has to save this secondary from turning into a crumbling house of cards?

“I feel comfortable for today. We have multiple variations of players that we’re working through that so you have a starting point and you see how the progression goes. Right now I’m good with where we’re at,” McDaniel said when asked about cornerback depth. “If there was a situation in a week where I didn’t feel that we were good, Chris [Grier] and I would talk and we’d get something done there. But we feel good with where our plan is, and the various people we’re giving opportunities to in a very competitive defensive backfield.”

What Miami needs is someone to step up and become this secondary’s savior, a cornerback and safety who proves they deserve to be an NFL starter.

Ethan Bonner’s one of the fastest players on the Dolphins roster. He’s the only cornerback with the reputation of running with Tyreek Hill, stride-for-stride.

Smith has the highest draft investment considering Miami used a 2023 second-round pick to select the former South Carolina standout, but his lack of maturity has kept him buried on the depth chart.

Is he finally ready to grow up and live up to his potential?

Storm Duck has been the most consistent practice performer, but has he proven he can handle lining up against the Garrett Wilson’s and Stefon Diggs’ of the NFL?

The jury is out on them all.

Since being claimed off the waiver wire in 2023, Campbell has impressed three different defensive coaching staffs. He has made a name for himself on special teams the past few seasons, but can he perform well enough to hold onto a starting spot, improving this weak secondary?

“It’s sad what happened with all the injuries and all but prayers up for them. They’ll be good, hopefully,” Campbell said. “I’m gonna just step in and do what I got to do, like this is my job”

It very well could be. But the same can be said for everyone else in Miami’s secondary.

____

©2025 Miami Herald. Visit miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.