MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins players and coaches alike expressed belief in rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers on Thursday after the Wednesday news he was taking over as starter for Tua Tagovailoa.
As offensive coordinator Frank Smith put it Thursday, when asked if his skill set is suited for the Dolphins’ offense: “Yes, that’s why he’s here.”
A benefit for Ewers is that the Dolphins’ offense, as the team faces the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium, is similar to what he ran at Texas.
“We both like to motion a lot, like to add a lot of eye candy to the defense,” Ewers said Wednesday, “and we run a lot of the same schemes, which has helped a lot.”
So the Dolphins won’t necessarily force him to play Sunday like a game manager and may allow him to let it rip on occasion.
“You’re trying to make sure you work the concept and attack it in the right principles,” Smith said. “It’s more of, ‘OK, here’s the game plan, here’s how we’re going to attack the defense, here’s the different parts of the defense that they have variables that we have to be mindful of and then knowing, inside of that, each play, how does it connect back toward that attack, what are you trying to do.’”
Players have seen Ewers comport himself just as he has when he didn’t have the pressure of being the starter bestowed upon him.
“You can see the confidence in his play,” Waddle said. “He’s got a swag to him.”
Running back De’Von Achane sees Ewers as mature beyond his years.
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“When he’s out there, he acts as if he’s a vet,” Achane said.
Waddle understood why his quarterback in Miami since his rookie season in 2021, whom he want back to Alabama with, was benched after a poor showing in 14 games in 2025.
“It’s the nature of the business, especially when we’re getting paid as well as we are,” Waddle said. “A couple of weeks ago, I was on the chopping block, so that’s just nature of the business.”
Waddle is referring to his name swirling in trade rumors around the trade deadline in early November.
Achane hopes the run game can facilitate things for Ewers on Sunday against the Bengals.
“It helps a lot,” Achane said. “Running the ball, it’s kind of easy for him handing the ball off. It kind of takes a lot of your plate, as far as not having to throw the ball 50 times.”
Injury report
Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks didn’t participate in Thursday’s practice, which now could put his status in question for Sunday’s game against Cincinnati.
Brooks, who came away from Monday’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers with foot and knee ailments, was seen working out on the side at Thursday drills. He missed snaps toward the end of the Monday night defeat.
Brooks’ Friday participation will go a long way in determining his availability against the Bengals. He is yet to miss a game with Miami since joining the team in 2024 free agency
The prolific linebacker has his league lead in tackles (155) at stake, as he’s six ahead of Raiders linebacker Devin White (149).
Also missing Thursday’s practice were safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, whom coach Mike McDaniel called “week to week” with his calf injury, and cornerback Isaiah Johnson (knee).
Defensive back and special teamer Elijah Campbell (ankle/knee) returned to a limited practice Thursday. Also limited were defensive tackle Kenneth Grant (shoulder), tight end Darren Waller (rest/knee) and kicker Jason Sanders (right hip). Sanders was designated for return Wednesday, which opened his window to be activated from injured reserve.
Weaver on Judon, Fitzpatrick
After the Dolphins waived veteran edge rusher Matthew Judon on Wednesday, defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver reacted Thursday.
“I love Matt,” Weaver said. “In terms of what he did while he was here, it’s a production-based business, and just what we were looking for out of that position hadn’t really been delivered on. That’s the nature of the beast, that’s where we’re at. I love him, man, and I wish him all the best moving forward.”
Weaver said he believes Judon could be a coach one day.
The cut gives more opportunities to other outside linebackers behind Bradley Chubb and Chop Robinson.
“I’m excited to see some Cam Goode and Quinton Bell,” Weaver said. “Guys who have been here for a little bit, who have a skill set to both cover and rush, and then they can go out there and set solid edges in the run game.”
Judon went unclaimed on waivers Thursday and is now a free agent eligible to sign with any team.
As Fitzpatrick is expected to miss Sunday’s game, Weaver said it should be a combination of a pair of rookies in safety Dante Trader and cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. contributing in the secondary.
Sanders’ spot
The Dolphins have a decision to make Saturday on whether they bring Sanders off IR to kick against the Bengals or continue to roll with Riley Patterson, who has been a formidable replacement with Sanders shelved with a bum hip.
“We’re going to go though the process this week and see what’s going on,” Miami special teams coordinator Craig Aukerman said. “Obviously, we opened up the window for Jason. It’s good to have him back out there.
“We’re going to take everything that we can from (Wednesday’s) practice, to (Thursday), to Friday, gather all that information, talk to the athletic training staff, talk to Jason, talk to Riley and stuff and just make sure we’re all on the same page. But we’ll base that decision a little bit later on.”
