Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle leaves joint practice against Falcons with apparent injury

Updated Aug. 9, 2023 1:36 p.m. ET

Associated Press

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle left Wednesday's joint practice against the Atlanta Falcons with an apparent injury.

Waddle made a catch during drills and went down grabbing at the right side of his body. The Dolphins' third-year receiver walked off the practice field under his own power after being down for about five minutes.

Waddle had 75 receptions and 1,356 yards receiving last season — his second straight season surpassing 1,000 yards.

“I think Waddle has probably had one of the best camps on our team this year,” quarterback Tua Tagovailoa said Wednesday. “It really started with OTAs. From the first day he came, he showed up, he was locked in. It's kind of unfortunate to see something like that happen. I hope that it's just a couple days. I hope he gets better.”

It was Miami's second joint practice against Atlanta ahead of Friday's preseason game in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel hasn't yet announced if Tagovailoa or other Dolphins starters will suit up for the opener.

For the Falcons, first-round rookie running back Bijan Robinson could make his NFL debut.

McDaniel wanted his team to respond Wednesday after an “average” session Tuesday afternoon.

“If the goal is average then I was super pumped," McDaniel said Wednesday. “... There's stuff that irritated me. There's stuff that pumped me up. We did physically strain through some heat against a new opponent. The main focus to me is — was that practice purposeful? How do you make it purposeful? Your approach today is not the same mistakes.”

He pointed to procedural penalties such as false starts as an area his team needs to clean up.

Cornerback Kader Kohou said he felt the defense got off to a slow start to Wednesday's practice but picked it up toward the end. The defense had at least two sacks, including one of Desmond Ridder, and a couple of interceptions.

“I think you have a lot to correct when you have more negatives (plays) than you do positives,” said Tagovailoa, who was intercepted toward the end of practice by Falcons safety Jaylinn Hawkins. “Obviously you want to have more positives. It's good when you have a joint practice.”

The practice ended with a touchdown pass from Dolphins backup Skylar Thompson to rookie running back De'Von Achane.

NOTES: Falcons coach Arthur Smith said rookie cornerback Clark Phillips III is “good” after leaving Tuesday's practice early with a leg injury. ... McDaniel said receiver Braylon Sander's lower body injury that he suffered Tuesday did not produce any structural damage. He is expected back next week.

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