Injury news is a double-sided blade, but Gay Jr. bring strong hope!
The 2025 Miami Dolphins are getting big surprises both positive and negatives in this year’s Training Camp. The injuries are clearly the worst of it, and we received updates today on Kadar Kohou and Ashton Davis bringing good and bad news. But a very good storyline for the Phins is the stellar play and attitude of linebacker Willie Gay Jr.
And this is a big deal!
A linebacking group of Jordyn Brooks, Tyrel Dodson, and a maniac thumper like Gay Jr. and this could be the best LB group in South Florida in a long time.
Injury news first!
The Miami Dolphins’ defensive backfield is facing significant challenges as training camp progresses. Starting cornerback Kader Kohou suffered a partially torn ACL during practice on Saturday, ruling him out for the entire 2025 season. This injury leaves the Dolphins without their only returning starter in the secondary, following offseason departures and injuries. Head coach Mike McDaniel expressed his disappointment but praised Kohou’s resilience, noting his positive mindset despite the setback.
In addition to Kohou’s injury, safety Ashtyn Davis sustained a lower leg injury during Tuesday’s practice. Davis was seen leaving the field on crutches and wearing a boot on his left leg. While initial reports suggested a severe injury, coach McDaniel later clarified that it wasn’t as serious as feared, offering some hope for a quicker recovery.
These injuries have left the Dolphins’ secondary in a state of flux. With Kohou out for the season and Davis’ status uncertain, the team is exploring options to bolster their defensive backfield. Veteran cornerbacks Mike Hilton and Jack Jones have been signed to provide depth, but the lack of continuity and experience in the secondary poses a significant challenge as the team prepares for the upcoming season.
But is this secondary that much worse than last season?
Rasmey and Fitzpatrick are a wash or near wash. Fuller didn’t play much at all, so the additions of Jones and Hilton are improvement. Kadar is a loss, but we had a poor safety group in 2024 and not a great group of corners. So, has a ton really changed?
This isn’t to say we are killing it with this secondary, but it’s at least comparable to last seasons and that defense was respectable.
The good news is Gay Jr. looks ferocious
As the Dolphins navigate these defensive setbacks, the development of linebacker Willie Gay Jr. has provided a silver lining. After a challenging 2024 season with the New Orleans Saints, Gay has shown promising signs during training camp. His ability to adapt and contribute positively to the defense offers a glimmer of hope amidst the challenges faced by the secondary.
Gay Jr. is a thumper, pass rusher, and is big enough to attack, stack, and shed.
I love Brooks and think Dodson is excellent in coverage, but Gay Jr. is bringing something new to this LB group: high level physicality. If this secondary isn’t good or just as ‘good’ as last year’s, having and excellent defensive front and linebacker group could offset their flaws so they don’t cripple the Phins 2025 hopes in being respectable.
It’s a long way from here to there, but Gay Jr. is looking like an excellent FA addition. We’ll see if it continues and what this defense looks like when it hits the field Week 1, but clearly the front 7 of the Phins has potential.
We’ll see if this secondary can surprise and come through.
Don’t bet the house with the best pay per head on anything but it’s not totally crazy to be hopeful for a little longer at this point. Why not football is all about fun… at least at this stage. Go Phins!!!