In their second preseason game, the Miami Dolphins opted to rest a majority of their starters. The team did that to prevent injury to some of the team’s most important players.
However, that did not apply to the team’s rookies, as the preseason is a valuable learning experience for them.
Unfortunately, the worst-case scenario appeared to occur for the Dolphins, as one impressive rookie, who the team listed as starter in their official depth chart, suffered an injury and was forced to leave the game in the first quarter.
Miami Dolphins Rookie Suffers Injury
Moore has his hands on his helmet.
No pressure on left leg as he leaves field.
The Palm Beach Post’s Joe Schad posted on X: “Miami Dolphins rookie edge rusher/linebacker Trey Moore is down and on his back. Moore has his hands on his helmet. No pressure on left leg as he leaves field.”
Regarding the injury, Dolphins Wire’s Mike Masala wrote: “On a second-and-5 play, Giants quarterback Jameis Winston dropped back to pass, and Moore pressured the former first-round pick. However, the rookie landed awkwardly and had to be helped off the field. Moore wasn’t putting any pressure on his left leg and was eventually carted back to the locker room.
The Dolphins had been moving Moore between the edge and inside linebacker, so this is still a huge loss. The team is hoping that it’s not as bad as it looks.”
Moore was listed by the Dolphins as a starter on their official depth chart, ahead of veteran Willie Gay Jr.
Focused on Fins podcast host Anthony Testino posted on X about Moore’s potential absence:
As I said a few days ago, Willie Gay is perhaps the only other player on the Dolphins roster capable of providing the front flexibility in the same way Trey Moore does.
“Really hoping Trey Moore is okay…promising Rookie is vital to the way this Defense is set up.
As I said a few days ago, Willie Gay is perhaps the only other player on the Dolphins roster capable of providing the front flexibility in the same way Trey Moore does.”
Perhaps as a result, the Dolphins opted to remove some of their most valuable rookies the rest of the game. Dolphins on SI’s Alain Poupart posted on X: “Kadyn Proctor out of the game after one series … and one can’t help but wonder whether that was the plan all along and whether the injury to Trey Moore convinced Jeff Hafley not to take any chances at all with his prized rookies.”
Trey Moore Player Profile
The Miami Dolphins selected Moore with their first fourth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Moore being placed as a starter above Gay Jr. speaks of how highly Miami’s coaching staff values the rookie.
Prior to the draft, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein wrote of Moore: “Moore is a highly productive, 46-game starter with flexible NFL positioning. He’s undersized and lacks NFL length as an edge defender, but he’s a skilled, instinctive rusher with a robust set of approaches. He won’t burn the edges with pure speed but he compensates for that with a deep bag of moves. In limited snaps, Moore showed potential at off-ball linebacker, but questions persist about his pursuit speed and ability to cover in the NFL. Some teams might label him a “tweener,” but I see a versatile prospect whose competitiveness and feel for the game should allow him to translate no matter the position he plays.”
Hopefully, the injury is not as serious as it appeared and Moore can contribute for the Dolphins in 2026.
Dolphins Suffer Setback as Rookie Starter Leaves With Injury During Preseason Game