The Miami Dolphins' 2025 season is in crisis after CB Kader Kohou suffered a season-ending ACL tear, joining Artie Burns on the sideline. Will they sign Rasul Douglas?
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The optimism of training camp was shattered on Thursday with the devastating news that cornerback Kader Kohou has suffered a partially torn ACL and will miss the entire 2025 season. This bombshell comes just days after veteran Artie Burns went down with a suspected ACL tear, plunging the Dolphins' secondary into a full-blown crisis and forcing the front office's hand in the free agent market.
Losing one starting-caliber corner is bad luck. Losing two in the first week of camp is a catastrophe that demands immediate action.
The injury to Kader Kohou is a massive blow. After emerging as a reliable and versatile defender, he was expected to play a significant role in the 2025 defense. His season-ending injury, confirmed as a partially torn ACL, creates a gaping hole in the defensive backfield. Compounding the issue is the loss of Artie Burns, who is also feared to have torn his ACL during the first camp practice. This leaves the Dolphins perilously thin at a premium position, with two key contributors now sidelined before the first preseason game has even been played.
With the cornerback room in tatters, the Dolphins' ongoing negotiations with veteran free agent Rasul Douglas have shifted from a 'want' to an absolute 'need.' The team has reportedly made multiple offers to Douglas this offseason, and now the leverage is squarely in the player's court. Head Coach Mike McDaniel stated the team is 'always looking to improve,' but that's a massive understatement of the current situation. The team must add a proven veteran, and Douglas is the most logical target. In other depth moves, the team signed OL Jalen McKenzie while placing OL Obinna Eze on the injured list, showing the front office is actively churning the bottom of the roster.
Amidst the chaotic injury news, the Dolphins delivered a dose of long-term stability by officially exercising the fifth-year options for wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and linebacker Jaelan Phillips. This move locks in two foundational, homegrown stars through the 2025 season. Securing Waddle, one of the league's most explosive offensive weapons, and Phillips, the team's premier pass rusher, is a crucial step in maintaining the team's young core. It's a reminder that while the present is fraught with challenges, the future in Miami still holds immense promise.
The Dolphins' front office is now under immense pressure. While securing the long-term futures of Waddle and Phillips provides a foundation of stability, the immediate crisis in the secondary cannot be ignored. Every fan will be refreshing their feeds, waiting for the inevitable news of a veteran cornerback signing. The clock is ticking, with the preseason opener against the Chicago Bears on August 10th looming large. Miami has to make a move, and it has to be soon.
