The Miami Dolphins revealed concerning news about rookie linebacker Trey Moore ahead of the team’s final preseason game.
Head coach Jeff Hafley told reporters, including Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, that Moore will have surgery on his injured left ankle. Moore was knocked out of the Week 2 matchup against the New York Giants with the injury. He’s expected to miss significant time.
Hafley did not rule out Moore for the year, but he did not guarantee a return in 2026, either. “Hopefully he will be back at some point this season, but it will be awhile,” Hafley said.
Miami Dolphins News Update: Rookie Linebacker Trey Moore Headed For Ankle Surgery, Season in Doubt
Miami selected Moore with the No. 130 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. He was a candidate to start at left outside linebacker this season. Details have yet to be released about the specifics of the injury or the surgery. The fact that Moore is going under the knife in late August means he’ll have an uphill battle to return this year.
The loss of Moore pushes Willie Gay Jr. up on the depth chart. He now has the inside track to earn the starting left outside linebacker spot. Gay came to Miami after four seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and a year with the New Orleans Saints. The 28-year-old appeared in every game with the Dolphins last season. He made a pair of starts.
Cam Riley and Jaheim Thomas are options behind Gay. Neither player has played a snap in the NFL, so the Dolphins will likely be in the market for veteran depth at the position. Tyrel Dodson is expected to start at middle linebacker. Jordyn Brooks will handle the right outside linebacker role.
Dolphins Pursuing Help at the Linebacker Position
Before the news of Moore’s surgery came to light, Miami was already known to be in the market for additional linebackers. The team was connected to Kenneth Murray yesterday. The Dolphins worked out the former Dallas Cowboys starter with Moore getting banged up over the weekend.
Murray set a career high with 3.5 sacks in Dallas last season. He started 16 of 17 games. The 27-year-old has experience at all three linebacker spots, though he hasn’t been a regular on the right side since his rookie season in 2020 with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Miami has made multiple additions on defense this offseason. The team brought in Joshua Uche and David Ojabo to shore up the defensive line. Gay was brought back as a free agent. Additional moves are likely coming with Moore missing significant time.
Dolphins May Have Lost Rookie Linebacker for Rest of Season