The Miami Dolphins got yet another tough break in what has already been an ultra injury-hit secondary on Thursday night, when rookie cornerback, Jason Marshall Jr. went down.
After coming out of the game in the first half of the game, and being initially questionable to return, Marshall was ruled out for the rest of the game, as the Dolphins fell to the Bills 31-21.
In the post game interview, per David Furones, head coach Mike McDaniel stated that he needed more information to make any definitive comments on the fifth round rookie’s injury status.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said he needs more information on the Jason Marshall injury once the team returns to Miami.” Furones wrote on Thursday night.
Dolphins Facing Injury Crisis At Cornerback
Unfortunately for Miami, this is yet another injury in what has become an avalanche of injuries in the secondary – or more specifically, at cornerback.
Prior to Thursday’s game, the team were missing starting nickel, Kader Kohou, who will miss the entirety of the 2025 season with a partially torn ACL suffered in training camp. Backup nickel, Artie Burns suffered almost the exact same fate as Kohou, just days apart from one another.
Former second round pick, Cam Smith, who many believed was the team’s best hope on the boundary to step up to the plate in his third year as a starter, landed on the Non Football Injury list at the end of training camp, with further details concerning his situation murky.
And Storm Duck is also out with an ankle injury, having been unable to practice since injuring his ankle in week 1 against the Colts.
Now with Marshall to add to the list – particularly since the team decided to release veteran late-offseason addition, Mike Hilton, ahead of final roster cuts – the team are shorthanded across the secondary.
Where Does Miami’s Secondary Go From Here?
Perhaps the most difficult facet of the Dolphins‘ injury problems in the secondary is that cornerback was already the clear weakness of the roster.
After the Jalen Ramsey trade that sent the 3 x All-Pro to Pittsburgh in exchange for fellow All-Pro safety, Minkah Fitzpatrick, the Dolphins had very little going for them in the unit beyond the now injured Kohou.
The additions of Jack Jones, which was followed by that of former Super Bowl champion, Rasul Douglas, has helped ease the pain and provided Miami with at least viable options at corner.
Yet with each passing injury, it feels like the group gets weaker and weaker, and more and more void of potential and ability.
Even the safety position has not managed to escape the injury plague on the back end of the Dolphins‘ defense. Ifeatu Melifonwu, who currently starts opposite Fitzpatrick, was ruled out of Thursday night’s game with a calf injury suffered in week two against New England.
Given the circumstances, the Dolphins‘ secondary certainly did not embarrass themselves in Buffalo against one of the – if not the – best team in the NFL.
But moving forward, defensive coordinator, Anthony Weaver will need to figure out a strategy to get the most out of Douglas and Jones – and, more importantly, keep them on the field.
Dolphins’ Secondary Injury Crisis Continues After Another Starter Goes Down