The Miami Dolphins will already enter the 2026 season with one of many thinnest cornerback rooms within the league.
Now they will be much more short-handed at the beginning of coaching camp.
Miami announced Thursday that cornerbacks Darrell Baker Jr. and Storm Duck will start camp on the bodily unable to carry out (PUP) listing. During coaching camp, gamers positioned on the PUP listing may be activated at any time.
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With Baker and Duck sidelined, much more strain will fall on first-round decide Chris Johnson to contribute immediately. Last 12 months’s starting cornerbacks — Jack Jones, Rasul Douglas and Kader Kohou — all departed in free agency.
During OTAs and minicamp this spring, Johnson started studying all three cornerback positions. Miami recorded simply 9 interceptions final season, tied for the ninth-fewest in the NFL. The Dolphins additionally allowed a league-high 72 p.c completion fee.
Johnson is expected to be a cornerstone of coach Jeff Hafley’s new defensive scheme, which can characteristic each 4-3 and 3-4 alignments. Over his remaining three seasons at San Diego State, Johnson recorded six interceptions and 14 cross breakups. Last season alone, he completed with 4 interceptions, 49 tackles and 9 passes defended.
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Johnson will compete with JuJu Brents and Jason Marshall Jr. for taking part in time. He is a flexible cornerback who performs each man and zone protection nicely.
Miami is banking on Johnson turning into a foundational participant within the first 12 months of its rebuild.
“When you watch Chris, he’s got great feet, great balance and body control,” Dolphins common supervisor Jon-Eric Sullivan mentioned shortly after he was drafted. “He’s physical. He’s a big corner. He can play nickel, play outside corner. He’s got ball skills.
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“I imply, if you begin checking the packing containers for a defensive again, there weren’t actually many left — there have been none, actually. He’ll sort out, he is bodily. He’s received upside. He’s 21 years previous; he is a very good child. He handles his enterprise. He works, desires to be a very good participant. He’s about the correct stuff.”
This story was initially printed by Athlon Sports on Jul 24, 2026, the place it first appeared within the NFL part. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.