Brewer, two other Dolphins who missed many August practices, update their situations

Three Dolphins who missed extended time during training camp pronounced themselves ready to go for Sunday’s opener against visiting Jacksonville (1 p.m., CBS).

Speaking at their lockers over the past two days, center Aaron Brewer, defensive tackle Benito Jones and linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. said they’re healthy and ready to play.

Brewer missed three weeks after breaking a hand and undergoing surgery. He returned to practice late last week and said the hand is feeling good and that he’s had no issues snapping.

He said the injury happened during a training camp practice on “a combo block. I went through the nose guard and went to the linebacker and [jabbed] him in the chest and looked at my hand and thought it was cramping. I didn’t even know it was broken. Went to the next play and realized I couldn’t grip the ball. Found out it was broken, had surgery.”

Weeks later, the hand “feels normal, [like] a brand new hand.”

Brewer, who was a skilled run blocker for the Tennessee Titans, said “I feel I’m the perfect fit for this offense with my skill set. I’ve been running outside zone in Tennessee, but this is a little different.”

Asked if he will wear a special glove on Sunday, he cracked: “I’m wearing a regular glove. I wish I had a robotic hand or robotic glove I could wear.”

As for Jones, he missed three weeks with a knee injury but said he’s fine now. Was he ever worried about not being ready for the start of the season?

“No sir,” he said.

In his absence, Teair Tart was cut but backup Brandon Pili played well and solidified his spot on the 53-man roster.

Jones is listed as a first-team defensive tackle, along with Calais Campbell and Zach Sieler. Coordinator Anthony Weaver comes from a Baltimore defense that played two defensive lineman more often than three. But Jones figures to get significant snaps at nose tackle alongside Campbell and Sieler.

“Nose tackle is a very physical job — a position that really gets overlooked,” said Jones, who was a 15-game starter in Detroit last season after beginning his career as an undrafted rookie with the Dolphins.

Walker, who has started 75 of his 85 NFL appearances and topped 100 tackles three separate times, returned last Thursday after missing most of camp with a knee injury. He declined to discuss the injury, but it’s worth noting that Walker missed the Browns’ final regular season game and playoff game because of knee surgery in January.

“Happy to be back on the field, ready to start this season this week,” he said. “If I was worried [about being healthy], I’m not worried any more.”

Walker — who spent time on injured reserve the last three years with quadriceps, hamstring and knee injuries — has started 73 of his past 74 games, over six seasons, but has no issue with coming off the bench behind starters David Long Jr. and Jordyn Brooks.

“Four guys that can go start on any team and we’ve got them in one room,” Walker said of himself, Long, Brooks and Duke Riley. “We all bring the best out of each other. I’m happy to be a part of the room. Coming back home is special.”

Walker, who grew up in Miami and attended Pace High, has been flooded with ticket requests and will handle that strategically.

“I’m already spacing it out,” he said. “I had to do it early. Some are coming to this game, some to the next game. I’ll try to get everybody at least once or twice. My dad will be at every game. My mom will be at most as well. Everybody can’t come to every game.”

How many people have reached out for tickets?

“Probably 100 people — family, friends, coaches, teachers. I definitely want to try to get everybody to one.”

INJURY REPORT

▪ Cornerback Jalen Ramsey missed practice for the second consecutive day with a hamstring injury, leaving his availability very much in question for Sunday’s opener.

Ramsey was the only player who didn’t practice Thursday.

Three players were limited: Jones (knee), Brewer (hand) and receiver Malik Washington (quadriceps).

Every other player on the 53-man roster practiced fully.

Here’s my Thursday piece with nuggets from five Dolphins assistant coaches.

Here’s my Thursday piece with a look at how the Dolphins will unlock the unique talents of tight end Jonnu Smith.