Dolphins practice report: Who impressed in joint session with Tampa Bay and injury news

News, notes and observations from Wednesday’s Dolphins-Buccaneers joint practice in Tampa:

▪ Tua Tagovailoa began 11-on-11 drills with an interception on a deep pass intended for Braxton Berrios, but was very good after that, including three completions for long gains.

The Dolphins defense was beaten deep several times on a day that Jalen Ramsey sat out 11-on-11 drills. But Dolphins rookie safety Mark Perry had a pick-six on an interception of Kyle Trask.

On special teams, Tampa Bay got a first down on a fake field-goal attempt.

▪ Dolphins players on offense who didn’t participate in Wednesday’s team drills: receiver Tyreek Hill (thumb; did some individual drills), receiver Jaylen Waddle (back at practice doing some work), center Aaron Brewer (hand; worked on conditioning on the side), receiver River Cracraft (shoulder), running back Chris Brooks (concussion protocol) and receiver Braylon Sanders (lower body injury).

▪ Dolphins players on defense who didn’t participate in Wednesday’s team drills: linebacker Jaelan Phillips (Dolphins are being cautious after last November’s Achilles injury), linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (hasn’t practiced in weeks for unknown reasons), safety Jevon Holland (has missed two weeks with something the team has downplayed in terms of severity) and cornerback Cam Smith (who was wearing a compression sleeve on his right leg on Wednesday).

▪ After wearing a brace on his injured thumb during Tuesday’s practice, Hill wasn’t wearing the brace Wednesday. He participated in individual portions of practice, as he did Tuesday, but was held out of team drills. Coach Mike McDaniel has suggested the injury isn’t serious.

Waddle, who has missed two weeks with an injury that McDaniel has called minor, returned to practice but participated primarily in individual drills.

▪ Tight ends Tanner Conner and Jody Fortson, who were injured in the preseason opener, were out of their red noncontact jerseys.

▪ Cornerback Jalen Ramsey didn’t immediately participate in 11-on-11 drills. He returned to practice Tuesday after being sidelined last week.

DOLPHINS VS. BUCS DEFENSE IN 7-ON-7 AND 11-ON-11 DRILLS

▪ Tampa Bay’s Zyon McCollum picked off Tua Tagovailoa’s deep pass to Braxton Berrios.

▪ De’Von Achane had a long run.

▪ Skylar Thompson connected with Erik Ezukanma for a long gain.

▪ Tagovailoa delivered a deep throw to Berrios for a long gain. A bit later, Tagovailoa hit Jonnu Smith on a deep outside route and had perfect placement on the pass.

And then Tagovailoa delivered a pinpoint pass to Durham Smythe for a long gain.

▪ Thompson held the ball too long and took a sack.

▪ Ezukanma was very involved, catching multiple passes, including that deep one from Thompson. But then he appeared to be limping later in practice.

▪ A Raheem Mostert running attempt went nowhere, and an Achane run picked up a modest gain. Mostert then gained 2 yards on a run in red zone drills.

▪ Berrios dropped a pass from Tagovailoa that was a bit behind him.

▪ Tagovailoa showed pinpoint accuracy on a wheel route to Achane.

▪ Malik Washington picked up a short gain on a pass from Tagovailoa.

▪ A Jeff Wilson Jr. run gained nothing in red zone drills.

▪ Mike White threw a TD pass to Je’Quan Burton in those red zone drills.

▪ Former Steelers running back Anthony McFarland, signed by the Dolphins this week, was stopped in the backfield by Tampa Bay’s Antonio Grier Jr. on a rushing attempt.

▪ Tagovailoa’s third-down pass to Washington was incomplete; there appeared to be a miscommunication. Tagovailoa’s fourth-down pass to Mostert didn’t pick up enough for a first down.

▪ Washington and Smith each picked up first downs on throws from Tagovailoa, who then connected with Berrios and Mostert on his next two passes.

▪ Tagovailoa threw a TD pass to Achane on a goal line drill where the ball was spotted on the 2-yard line.

▪ Tampa Bay’s McCollum broke up a Thompson pass to Forston in goal-line drills.

DOLPHINS VS. BUCS OFFENSE IN 7-ON-7 AND 11-ON-11 WORK

▪ Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield found a tight end for a significant gain; no Dolphins defender was close.

▪ Calais Campbell had a sack on Mayfield on the second play of 11-on-11 work.

▪ Rookie cornerback Storm Duck got a lot of work in place of Ramsey.

▪ Rookie edge player Mo Kamara had a sack.

▪ Ryan Miller caught a touchdown pass, from Mayfield, with Ethan Bonner in coverage. Bonner fell down at the end of the route, which was up the seam.

▪ Defensive tackle Brandon Pili sacked Mayfield. Pili has had at least four sacks, between games and practices, during the past 10 days.

▪ Tampa Bay ran successfully against rookie Chop Robinson, who showed improvement setting the edge during some August practices but struggled in that regard in the second preseason game.

▪ Kendall Fuller broke up a Mayfield pass.

▪ Jonathan Harris and Quinton Bell combined for a sack on Mayfield.

▪ Safety Mark Perry picked off a Trask pass on an out route and returned it for a touchdown. That was the TCU rookie’s signature play of training camp. He could end up on the practice squad.

▪ Campbell deflected a Mayfield pass in goal-line drills.

▪ Nik Needham had good coverage on an incomplete Trask pass to Kameron Johnson.

1-on-1 WORK

▪ Smith caught two touchdown passes.

▪ Linebacker Channing Tindall deflected a pass. Tindall has come on strong recently.

▪ Forston caught a touchdown.

▪ Julian Hill made a nice catch. He’s the unquestioned No. 3 tight end.

▪ Rookie edge player Robinson was stood up by Tampa Bay standout Tristan Wirfs in offensive line vs. defensive line drills. But Robinson then drove Wirfs back in another drill.

▪ Zach Sieler and Campbell consistently won their drills.

▪ Isaiah Mack won his rep with ease. He has had a strong camp.

Note: This was the final practice fully open to reporters until May 2025. The Dolphins conclude preseason on Friday night at Tampa Bay (7:30 p.m., CBS 4).