More Dolphins reaction on DeShon Elliott comments; Tyreek Hill revises injury story

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The reaction to former Miami Dolphins safety DeShon Elliott’s comments about the team being “soft” continued at team facilities Thursday.

Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver was on the Baltimore Ravens coaching staff in Elliott’s last season with the team in 2021. Weaver also took on a lot of Dolphins players this offseason as the team kept many players from the 2023 defense but parted ways with several others, Elliott among them.

“I know DeShon. I obviously respect who he is as a player,” Weaver started. “I don’t think any man that walks on that field and plays this game is soft. I know the guys in that locker room. I know the passion and the physicality and the tenacity that they play with. So the fact that he feels that way, hey, God bless him. But we have an opportunity to go and get rid of that, whatever, softness phrase, or whatever the heck he wants to say. We can have an opportunity every Sunday to change that.”

Dolphins defensive tackle Calais Campbell was also with Elliott on the 2021 Ravens and now is in Miami.

“Define soft. The guys I’m going to war with, I believe in. I know they’re tough, and we’re going to show it,” Campbell said. “DeShon, a guy I like. Was a good teammate when I was teammates with him. His opinion, for us, doesn’t matter. His opinion means nothing to me.”

In the Wednesday release of the “Punch Line Podcast with Marlon Humphrey,” Elliott took his jab at the Dolphins as his current team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, are set to face the Ravens this week.

“I haven’t been able to play against Baltimore the way I wanted to because, last year, I played for a team that was soft as f---. Oh my God, I can’t put that on there — that was pretty soft,” Elliott said on the podcast.

“The guys on the team — there were some guys who were tough — but the majority of the team, they were not mentally tough individuals. So, to be on a team of mentally tough guys, going against another mentally tough team and AFC North ball, it’s going to be fun.”

It caught the attention of several within the Dolphins organization Wednesday.

“I got no respect for it,” cornerback Kader Kohou said. “I didn’t think DeShon was the toughest guy.”

Miami safety Jevon Holland said Elliott should’ve named specific players if he was going to make such an allegation. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa said Elliott is entitled to his own opinion, and coach Mike McDaniel said he’s focused on the this year’s Dolphins team.

Hill’s wrist

After star Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill told ESPN “Monday Night Football” sideline reporter Lisa Salters his preseason wrist injury was aggravated in the Sept. 8 detainment outside Hard Rock Stadium ahead of the Dolphins’ opener, he walked back that story Thursday.

“Nah, I wouldn’t say — I would say Commanders week (in the preseason), when we had that joint practice. Red-zone play,” Hill said in a brief media session at his locker after practice when asked specifically if his interaction with police contributed to the injury.

He recalled of what he originally felt regarding the ailment: “It was just a small, little wrist injury. Nothing too crazy.”

Once the season began, Hill was not listed on the team’s injury report as receiving treatment on the wrist until last week ahead of the Rams game, causing him to be a game-time decision Monday night at SoFi Stadium.

Dolphins wide receivers coach Wes Welker said he doesn’t believe the injury is affecting Hill’s performance.

Hill said surgery was considered in discussions with doctors, but his call was to tough it out on the field and play through the ailment.

“At the end of the day, I just got to suck it up,” Hill said. “And just deal with the pain. It’s going to get worse the more that I play, but I got to give it all for my team. I’m here. I’m locked in, no matter what, no matter how I feel.

“Even if I got to cut my wrist off, I’m still out there. You know why? Because I love the game of football.”

Surgery may occur in the offseason, he said.

Injury report

Along with Hill (wrist), left guard Robert Jones (knee) was seen practicing Thursday after the team’s Wednesday injury report estimated them as non-participants had the team practiced instead of holding a walkthrough. Safety Jordan Poyer was also practicing after he would’ve had a rest day Wednesday. All three were limited, according to the injury report

Ahead of Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders, cornerback Kendall Fuller (concussion) did not practice Thursday. He is expected to be out after sustaining his second concussion of the season Monday night at Los Angeles. Left tackle Terron Armstead and defensive lineman Calais Campbell were not spotted at practice, both for rest, with Armstead also nursing a knee issue.

Cornerback Jalen Ramsey and wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. were both added to Thursday’s injury report for new knee injuries, but they each practiced. Ramsey was limited, and Beckham went through a full practice.

Tight end Julian Hill was seen in a red, non-contact jersey Thursday as he was downgraded to limited on the injury report.

Also limited were fullback Alec Ingold (calf) and offensive lineman Isaiah Wynn (quadriceps/knee), in his first true practice since being designated for return.

Newcomer linebacker Tyrel Dodson was seen participating in his first practice with the Dolphins on Thursday. New tight end Jack Stoll was not practicing but watching in sweatpants and a ball cap and talking to offensive coordinator Frank Smith.

Long’s cut

Weaver offered perspective on linebacker David Long Jr. getting waived Wednesday, which was a surprising move. Long was cut two weeks after being demoted from the starting lineup, with Anthony Walker Jr. taking his inside linebacker spot next to Jordyn Brooks.

“That was just a team decision,” Weaver said. “Obviously, we have a tremendous amount of love and respect for Dave. He’s a starting-caliber NFL ‘backer, and at this particular time, we chose to go with (Walker). So, it was probably the best move for just all parties involved. It gives him a chance to continue his NFL career and go flourish elsewhere.”

Weaver did not say whether Long asked to be waived.

Personnel decisions

The cornerbacks unit will again have to go back to dipping down the depth chart for a third contributor in nickel packages. This time, with Kohou back from his neck injury, it’s Fuller out.

Cam Smith has been the player up in the rotation of late, but that also had to do with undrafted rookie Storm Duck dealing with an ailing ankle. Smith, the 2023 second-round draft pick has been targeted and picked on when in the game.

“I don’t necessarily think it’s a struggle for Cam,” Weaver said. “I just think you’re going through some growing pains from a younger player. Who plays in place of Kendall, I think, is very much a competition.

“Cam went out there and did an admirable job, especially just considering how much practice time he had missed. So that competition and that position will certainly be up for grabs this week. We’ll look at how the guys compete throughout the week, and I expect him to be near the top because that’s the type of guy that he is. He’s going to go out there and give everything he has to earn that starting spot.”