MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins rookie defensive tackle and first-round pick Kenneth Grant could be turning a corner in his development.
After early struggles, he had his most active game in the NFL, with five tackles. But beyond that, he found a more consistent push, plugged gaps and reduced instances he was getting blown off the line of scrimmage.
Albeit a brutal game for the Dolphins as a whole, losing 31-6 to the Cleveland Browns, Grant has now strung together a pair of better outings, notching his first full sack the previous week against the Los Angeles Chargers.
“To me, it started two weeks ago and you saw it in practice where he just seemed more relaxed out there,” defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver said. “He kind of let the pressure fall off and just went out there and played football. When you start to gain confidence, particularly as a young player, and then you pair that with the technique and fundamentals that’s been continually growing throughout, you start to see games like that.
“There’s going to be a lot of good games ahead for Kenneth Grant just because of who he is and how he works.”
Before his games against the Chargers and Browns, Pro Football Focus had Grant as the league’s worst-graded defensive lineman, as both he and second-round-selected left guard Jonah Savaiinaea were going through rookie struggles.
“Definitely encouraged with KG,” Dolphins defensive line coach Austin Clark said. “Comfortability in the scheme and the way we’re playing him, as well as some of the technique and fundamentals and kind of working into pro playing shape. I think those are all things that have helped him out.
“We asked him to do a lot. We’ve asked him to line up a couple different places, and I think we’re seeing some growth, which is encouraging, but he does have a long way to go. He knows that. And he’s a guy you could really challenge, and that’s something we’re doing with him. He’s getting better every day.”
Grant was pleased with his performance, as well, but still knows he can fine-tune some things.
“I think I had a pretty solid game. Obviously I had five tackles, but there’s a lot of things that could definitely be better,” he said. “Technique was still kind of iffy. I think that’s really what I’m focusing on is just being better in my technique and taking the practice to the game and transition on that.”
Clark mentioned Grant getting in better shape. Grant is 6 feet 3 and 335 pounds as a rookie out of Michigan, but the position coach meant in terms of adding how much of a workload the youngster can handle against NFL blocking.
“His best is yet to come. He works his tail off there. He’s getting in shape, and he can handle more because of it,” Clark said. “For rookie D-linemen or rookies in general, it’s like the longest year of their life with three preseason games. Then, we’re now at Week 8, so that’s like 11 games, whereas in college, that’s something you don’t see.”
Injury report
Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle’s name surfaced on the injury report Thursday.
Waddle was listed as dealing with injuries to both hamstrings but rest also playing into the equation for him to be limited in Thursday drills.
During a media viewing period, he was mostly seen working out on the side of practice.
The new injury may not be related to what had Waddle down on the field toward the end of the game in Cleveland. He said he was fine both after the game and following Wednesday drills, and he wasn’t on the team’s Wednesday injury report.
Losing Waddle for Sunday in Atlanta would create a massive blow to an offense already down star wide receiver Tyreek Hill and tight end Darren Waller.
Safety Elijah Campbell returned to practice Thursday for the first time since missing the previous two weeks with a quadriceps injury.
“No promises ahead of time, but I feel good,” Campbell said.
The fifth-year defensive back and key contributor on special teams is dealing with a soft-tissue injury for the first time in his career. As a gunner on punt coverage, an ailing frontal leg muscle can hinder his ability to run down the field at his fastest, so he must get back to sustaining high-speed sprints to play that role.
Tight end Julian Hill missed a second straight practice with his ankle injury. Along with Waddle and Campbell, rookie cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. had another limited practice.
“Still have to see how he progresses throughout the week, but he’d go back to the nickel spot for us,” Weaver said, if Marshall is able to return. “That would enable us to play Minkah (Fitzpatrick) more at safety than we have been thus far.”
Rookie defensive tackle Jordan Phillips popped up with a finger injury Thursday, but he was still able to practice in full.
For the Falcons, quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was limited again Thursday with his knee injury.
They had linebacker Divine Deablo (forearm), edge rusher Jalon Walker (groin) and cornerback Billy Bowman Jr. (hamstring) miss another practice.
Among Atlanta players limited, with Penix, were running back Tyler Allgeier (hip/knee), wide receiver Darnell Mooney (hamstring), left tackle Jake Matthews (ankle), defensive end Zach Harrison (knee) and tight end Feleipe Franks (calf).
