Dolphin Training Camp Stock Report (Day 13): Receiver unit is being replenished

The deepest unit on the team heading into training camp got watered down by injuries the past two weeks, but it appears reinforcements are coming to the Miami Dolphins receiver unit.

Braxton Berrios, who was sidelined by an injury last week, returned to the field Monday, and Erik Ezukanma practiced on a limited basis for the first time in two weeks.

As long as nobody suffers a setback, their return should provide Tua Tagovailoa and the rest of Miami’s quarterbacks an improved arsenal of weapons heading into Thursday’s joint practice with the Washington Commanders and Saturday’s second preseason game, which will be played at 7 p.m. at Hard Rock Stadium.

On top of their return, which fortifies a unit that is working without Berrios and Ezukanma, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and Anthony Schwartz at times the past week, was head coach Mike McDaniel announcing that Odell Beckham Jr., who opened training camp on the PUP while nursing a lingering injury, will possibly begin practicing next week.

Ezukanma’s return is significant because he’s likely competing with rookie Malik Washington, the Dolphins’ 2024 fifth-round pick, for the sixth and possibly final receiver spot on the 53-man roster. The more Ezukanma, a 2021 fourth-round pick, doesn’t work the more he falls behind.

Hill and Waddle are Miami’s starters. The Dolphins signed Beckham to become the No. 3 receiver, and Berrios and River Cracraft are valued for the numerous roles they play. That leaves Ezukanma battling with Washington, Schwartz, Braylon Sanders and Willie Snead IV for the final receiver spot if Miami keeps six.

TOP PERFORMER

Stock Up

Lester Cotton, who started eight games last season as an injury replacement guard for the Dolphins, has been talked up by Miami’s coaches going back to last week. And on Monday it seems as if the former Alabama standout, who has played in 32 NFL games going back to his early days with the Las Vegas Raiders, is getting a legit right guard audition for the starting role.

Jonnu Smith caught a touchdown in the back of the end zone during 11-on-11 work, toe tapping the line to ensure he brought the Tagovailoa pass down in-bounds. Smith has typically works every other day since camp started, but with Tanner Conner sidelined by an undisclosed injury sustained in Friday’s night’s preseason win against the Falcons, it appears Smith might have to increase his snap count to accommodate the tight end workload.

Stock Down

Marcus Maye has started every NFL game (77) he’s played in during his seven-year career, but the former Jets and Saints starter has been locked into a backup role in Miami, playing behind Jevon Holland and Jordan Poyer. While both safeties have been sidelined by injuries the past week, Maye has served as a starter. But the former University of Florida standout hasn’t made any impact

Mike White didn’t take a single snap during Miami’s team periods on Monday, not even Miami’s walk-through work. It was clear on Monday’s shorter-than-normal practice that the Dolphins wanted to get Tua Tagovailoa, who had four days off from throwing because he didn’t participate in Friday’s win against the Falcons, the majority of the quarterback work. But for White to be completely shut out while Skylar Thompson took some walk-through snaps was odd. Could the tide really be turning on this quarterback battle for the No. 2 role?

TAKEAWAY FROM THE DAY

Liam Eichenberg’s back to the Dolphins’ starting center role because of the right hand injury Aaron Brewer sustained last week, which is keeping the newcomer from participating in practices and games.

How long Eichenberg handles the starting center workload depends on when Brewer’s cleared for activity, which might be the Sept. 8 season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars. While cross-training for situations like this are important, it probably opens the door for Miami to become intrigued with a replacement option — Cotton or Jack Driscoll — for the starting right guard role.

This week’s joint practices and Saturday’s preseason game against Washington’s defensive line, which is anchored by Daron Payne, and Jonathan Allen, and features rookie Jer’Zhan Newton, a second-round pick from Illinois.

WHAT THEY SAID

“It was great, but it was a tease. I need more,” Jaelan Phillips said, referring to the 11-on-11 walk-through snaps he took in his first training camp practice Monday, since being taken off the Physically Unable to Perform list.

“Mike [McDaniel] said it perfectly. I’m my worst enemy,” Phillips said, referring to his knack for pushing himself too hard in his rehabilitation back from the right Achilles tendon injury he suffered last November.