Howard blankets Parker; Tankersley losing his reps

DAVIE — Sunday was day 12 of the Miami Dolphins training camp, and this is how the practice played out.

Stock up

After a rough start in the preseason opener CB Xavien Howard got back to locking down WR DeVante Parker, preventing all but one pass thrown to the Dolphins’ 2015 firstround pick from being completed. Howard again showed off his knack for deflecting passes at the very last second. Rookie kicker Jason

Sanders was 8 for 8 on his field goals, and made both of his attempts from 61-yards.

Safety Trae Elston stepped in front of a Brock

Osweiler pass to pull down an interception during 11-on-11s.

Vincent Taylor had a productive day at defensive tackle, taking advantage of the snaps Jordan Phillips’ absence created with the second-team defensive line.

Stock down

Osweiler continued his inconsistent practice performances, losing ground in his battle with David Fales. Center Mike Matthews is struggling to anchor the second-team offensive line in the opportunity he has to impress Miami’s coaches while Jake Brendel continues to beside lined by a calf injury. Rookie RB Kalen Ballage missed a block of DE Charles Harris that got Ryan Tannehill so mad the quarterback kicked Ballage out of his huddle, then chastised him when the drive concluded. Harris got to the quarterback so fast he took a knee instead of touching Tannehill.

Observations

CB Cordrea Tankersley continues to be pushed down the depth chart, failing to hold onto the starting spot he held for 13 games last year. For the first two weeks of training camp Torry McTyer pushed Tankersley for the staring boundary spot, and now it appears nickel cornerback Bobby McCain is getting a shot at working on the inside.

Minhak Fitzpatrick, the Dolphins’ 2018 firstround pick, worked as the starting nickel cornerback, replacing McCain.

LB Jerome Baker, who had a productive five tackle game against Tampa Bay, replaced Stephone

Anthony as Miami’s starting strong side linebacker.

Mike Gesicki continues to be paired with MarQueis Gray as the starting tight ends. Gesicki had a decent day as a blocker on Sunday. At one point the rookie put a linebacker on the ground during a run to the right side.

Injury update

Linebacker Mike Hull injured the medial collateral ligament in his left knee, and will be sidelined for a few weeks. The Dolphins haven’t placed Hull on injured reserve, but could in the coming days because this type of injury generally takes at least a month to rehab. According to coach Adam Gase, the Dolphins haven’t determined whether Hull needs surgery.

WR Kenny Stills is sidelined by a left ankle injury he apparently suffered in Thursday night’s game against Tamp Bay. The Dolphins will be cautious about how much Stills works in the next week or so.

Parker jammed the fingers on his right hand early in Thursday’s practice but continued to participate.

Phillips sat out Sunday’s practice because of a shoulder injury.