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During his Friday press conference, Miami Dolphins’ head coach Mike McDaniel confirmed that Anthony Weaver’s defense would be without (at least) one of their top players as the team looks to right the ship on Sunday vs. the Cincinnati Bengals.
After leaving Monday Night’s dreadful 28-15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers with a calf injury, the Dolphins have officially ruled out safety Minkah Fitzpatrick for this weekend’s AFC matchup vs. the Bengals.
Fitzpatrick, 29, rejoined the Dolphins this offseason after spending six years with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was traded as part of the deadline deals that sent Jonnu Smith and Jalen Ramsey to the Steel City, and since his return to the team that once drafted him 11th overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, he’s been everything the team had hoped and more.
This year, Fitzpatrick has started all 14 games for Miami, recording 82 total tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack, six pass breakups, and an interception. He’s been a leader on and off the field, and according to his teammates, he’s meant everything to the team.
There’s no guarantee he will return next season, but both the Dolphins and Minkah have talked glowingly about one another since their reunion this year.
Here’s what Fitzpatrick said regarding Miami’s willingness to battle before Monday Night’s game vs. Pittsburgh.
“I’m extremely proud of the way this team has stuck together,” Fitzpatrick said. “We started off not the way we wanted to. But instead of pointing fingers and separating, we all leaned more into each other. We all took accountability. We tried to figure out what each individual player could do better, and we just continued to fight.”
With Fitzpatrick out, the team will get a closer look at what rookie fifth-round pick Dante Trader Jr. can do, in addition to veteran defensive back Elijah Campbell. Ashtyn Davis and Ifeatu Melifonwu may also line up differently in Minkah’s absence. That said, with the team eliminated from playoff contention, there’s no better time than now for some of the impending free agents and, more importantly, the younger players to get their feet wet.
McDaniel also said that linebacker Jordyn Brooks missed practice earlier in the week, but would get some work in this afternoon. His status for Sunday’s matchup vs. the Cincinnati Bengals is uncertain.
What are your thoughts on Minkah Fitzpatrick’s injury? Would you like to see him stick around in 2026 and beyond? How excited are you to see what Dante Trader Jr. can bring to the table? Are you excited to see what Quinn Ewers can do under center?!? Let us know in the comments section below!
