The Miami Dolphins lost CB Kader Kohou for the 2025 season to a knee injury. With others hurt, the team signed Mike Hilton & Jack Jones. How will they fix their secondary?
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The optimism of training camp took a significant hit Wednesday as the Miami Dolphins were rocked by devastating injury news. Head coach Mike McDaniel announced that starting nickelback Kader Kohou will miss the entire 2025 season after suffering a knee injury in practice. The blow to the secondary immediately sent the front office scrambling, resulting in the signing of two veteran cornerbacks to fill the sudden, massive void.
In three seasons, Kader Kohou was a fixture in the Dolphins' secondary, starting 38 of 47 possible games.
A pall was cast over Wednesday's practice as the team processed the loss of Kader Kohou, a reliable and versatile defender who had amassed 180 tackles in his career. The news was compounded by updates on two other defensive backs. Safety Ashtyn Davis is set to miss time with a non-contact leg injury, though his is not season-ending. This comes on the heels of veteran Artie Burns, who was competing for a starting job, leaving the first camp practice on crutches with his own knee injury. The rash of injuries has transformed the secondary from a position of quiet confidence to the team's most pressing concern.
General Manager Chris Grier didn't wait to react. In response to losing Kohou, the Dolphins signed veteran cornerbacks Mike Hilton and Jack Jones. Hilton, a proven commodity as a slot corner, and Jones, a talented but mercurial player, bring immediate experience to a depleted room. Their ability to quickly learn the playbook and build chemistry with Jalen Ramsey and the safeties will be paramount as the preseason approaches.
Amidst the defensive turmoil, there's a major silver lining on the other side of the ball. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been lights out, extending his interception-free streak to seven consecutive training camp practices. His precision passing and improved decision-making have been a consistent theme, with social media highlights showcasing his pinpoint accuracy. As the defense works to rebuild its depth, a sharp and confident Tua provides a much-needed stabilizing force for the entire team.
While the present is fraught with challenges, the Dolphins' long-term vision remains clear. The team officially exercised the fifth-year contract options for two cornerstones: pass-rusher Jaelan Phillips and star receiver Jaylen Waddle. The move locks in both 2021 first-round picks through the 2025 season, reaffirming their importance to the franchise's future. Waddle has looked electric in camp, and securing him and Phillips underscores the front office's commitment to its young, homegrown core, even as they navigate short-term crises.
The Dolphins' front office acted swiftly to patch the holes, but the coming weeks will be crucial. All eyes will be on how quickly Mike Hilton and Jack Jones can integrate into the defensive scheme and whether the 'next man up' can truly fill the void. With Tua looking sharper than ever, the offense may need to carry the load early as the defense finds its footing ahead of the September 7th opener against the Colts.
