Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey returned to practice Friday, hours after becoming the NFL’s highest paid player at his position earlier in the day.
But will he be available to play Sunday after missing practice both Wednesday and Thursday? Unsurprisingly, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel was unwilling to offer many hints.
“He had a good walkthrough today. I think we’re gonna be smart, but we’re eager to get him out there,” McDaniel said of Ramsey before practice Friday. “I anticipate him — in some way, shape, or form — at practice. I don’t know the level yet.
“That and whether or not he can play in the game, it does matter to everyone — both teams. … Quite honestly, I don’t know. If I did know, I wouldn’t tell you, but I really don’t know.”
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Ramsey, 29, has earned Pro Bowl honors in each of the last seven seasons and was acquired by the Dolphins in a trade during the 2023 offseason. While meniscus surgery kept the cornerback out early in the year, he returned to play in 10 games and allowed a 52.9 passer rating when targeted in coverage, according to PFF.
While it would be a boost to the Dolphins secondary to have Ramsey in action against the Jacksonville Jaguars, a looming Thursday night game against the Buffalo Bills next week could force the team to be extra cautious.
“We just got to be smart and cognizant that we do have two games in whatever that is, a little over a week, so we’ll see,” Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver said Thursday. “But the one thing I do know about Jalen (Ramsey), is that it’s not for a lack of work ethic. He’s doing everything he can in the training room to try to put himself out there.”
In the event that Ramsey is held out of action Sunday, second-year cornerback Ethan Bonner would likely get the start. On Thursday, he said he’s prepared for that and would embrace the opportunity.
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