Miami faces a bruising Week 2 test vs. New England with a slew of practice absences. Six Dolphins — Storm Duck, Austin Jackson, Benito Jones, Darren Waller, Ethan Bonner, and Jaylen Wright — missed practice, while Jaylen Waddle remained limited with a shoulder. De'Von Achane and Tyreek Hill both cleared, and Zeek Biggers could see action if Jones can’t go. New England’s report included Christian Gonzalez, Harold Landry III, Morgan Moses, Keion White, Kayshon Boutte, Christian Elliss, and Marte Mapu as limited or missing. Fantasy impact centers on Hill’s volatility, Waddle’s health, Achane’s workload, and the rookie Biggers stepping in—plus how Gonzalez’s absence could widen targets for the Pats’ pass game.

In short, Week 2 leans toward stabilized star production from Hill, with Waddle’s status a key ceiling driver. The Patriots bring attention to Boutte and White as potential value if misses mount, while Miami’s depth will be put to the test at corner, tackle, and interior D-line. Streaming defenses and opportunistic plays could define a close divisional tilt.

Miami's secondary opens the season with questions, rotating safeties opposite Minkah Fitzpatrick as free-agent signees push for time. Davis is listed first but health and flux keep the depth chart unsettled, while Melifonwu recovers and earns snaps. On the outside, Storm Duck is expected to start, with Rasul Douglas’ signing adding immediate competition. Rookie Jason Marshall Jr. shows nickel potential, while multiple safeties can swap roles for versatility and misdirection in coverage.

Expect the Dolphins to lean on varied looks and interchangeability to slow Indianapolis. Mixing Fitzpatrick, Melifonwu, and Davis in different alignments alongside Duck and Marshall Jr. should create matchup advantages, aided by a pass rush that helps coverage time. The opener could hinge on how quickly the unit communicates and finishes plays rather than who officially starts.

Rasul Douglas joined Miami’s revamped secondary as Week 1 looms, with Minkah Fitzpatrick back in the fold and a mix of new safeties contending for roles. Two practices in, Douglas relies on a long-standing Jersey connection with Fitzpatrick to accelerate the fit in Mike McDaniel’s defense, but the group remains a work in progress after Kohou’s season setback and training-camp time lost by Melifonwu and Davis.

Week 1 against Indianapolis tests the regression-to-mean of a unit still learning each other. Douglas’ acclimation and the overall health of the safety room will shape early snaps and fantasy upside for the Dolphins’ back-end playmakers, while the division’s quarterback talent—like Josh Allen—keeps the pressure high on the unit.

Rasul Douglas is joining the Miami Dolphins on a one-year, $3 million deal to shore up the cornerback room after the team cut Mike Hilton. Douglas, a 2017 third-round pick, has eight seasons of NFL experience with 394 tackles, 75 passes defensed and 19 interceptions, including two pick-sixes in 2021, and a Super Bowl LII ring.

He’ll slot into a Dolphins secondary that already features Storm Duck, Kendall Sheffield and Jack Jones, with Minkah Fitzpatrick and Ashtyn Davis in the back end. For fantasy and betting, the addition signals a stabilized pass defense with veteran guidance for the young corners, while the one-year deal keeps upside but limits long-term guarantees.

Miami Dolphins safety Ashtyn Davis faced a concerning injury during Tuesday's practice, which raised alarms about a possible torn Achilles. Fortunately, head coach Mike McDaniel later confirmed that it was not a season-ending injury, allowing the team to breathe a sigh of relief. Davis's injury, which occurred non-contact, resulted in him taking a considerable limp off the field and requiring crutches and a boot for support.

As Davis competes for a starting position alongside fellow safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, his status remains pivotal for the Dolphins' defensive strategy. The team is optimistic about his recovery, especially given the potential for him to return sooner than initially anticipated. This situation emphasizes the importance of depth in the Dolphins' secondary, particularly in a highly competitive AFC East.