The Miami Dolphins are facing a critical situation in their secondary just as the preseason gets underway. The offseason may seem like a time of calm, but serious setbacks can arise during training. Thatâs exactly what has happened to head coach Mike McDanielâs team and star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who will now be without a starting cornerback for the entire 2025 NFL season.
The Dolphins entered the offseason after finishing the 2024 campaign with an 8â9 record and missing the playoffs. Under the leadership of general manager Chris Grier, the front office has been focused on improving the roster. At the same time, a fully recovered Tagovailoa is ready to play a key role in the upcoming season.
The player who will miss the entire 2025 NFL season is none other than starting cornerback Kader Kohou, who suffered a serious knee injury during a one-on-one drill last Saturday. Kohou was the only returning starter in the secondary from last season, and his absence further complicates an already challenging situation.
The impact of Kohouâs absence
The news is a major blow, as Kohou had established himself as one of the teamâs most reliable defenders after joining the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2022. McDaniel described him as someone who âtook a big step forward this offseason.â The coach also praised his mindset: âThis is tough, but I guarantee he will be back better,â he said, according to ESPN.
Kader Kohou of the Dolphins
Setbacks in the Dolphinsâ secondary
The Dolphins have endured significant losses and changes in the secondary, forcing them to react quickly and restructure that part of the team. One of the notable moves came in June, when they traded star cornerback Jalen Ramsey for Minkah Fitzpatrick, who is returning to Miami.
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On the injury front, training camp has brought even more bad news. Cornerback Artie Burns suffered a torn ACL and is out for the year, and now Kohou has joined him on the list of long-term absences. Additionally, safety Ashtyn Davis left practice on crutches due to an undisclosed injury, deepening the crisis in the defensive backfield.
