Williams, Roberts return from rehab
Dolphins start to get a little healthier on both sides of the ball
Two Miami Dolphins who had their 2020 seasons cut short and started training camp on the physically-unable-to-perform list returned to practice on Thursday.
The Dolphins activated wide receiver Preston Williams and linebacker Elandon Roberts off the PUP list and both dressed for Thursday’s practice.
The two participated in individual position drills before the Dolphins lined up with the Atlanta Falcons in the second of two joint practices ahead of their preseason exhibition on Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium.
Williams, who also had a brief stint on the reserve/COVID list this camp, had been recovering from a foot injury sustained in the 34-31 win at the Arizona Cardinals on Nov. 8.
“It’s been good,” said Williams, who was seen moving well in drills, although not participating in any team portions against the Falcons. “When I got the X-ray, I knew it was going to take some time to get back. It’s a process.
“Everybody’s just been telling me, ‘Follow the course. … Everything’s going to take care of itself.’ ”
Williams’ last play in 2020 was a touchdown reception in Arizona as part of a four-catch, 60-yard effort where he showed a connection with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, in what was probably his best outing of his rookie season.
Williams appeared to suffer the injury in celebration of the touchdown when defensive tackle Christian Wilkins jumped on him. Williams backed his teammate on Thursday, saying Wilkins wasn’t culpable.
“Christian was celebrating,” Williams said. “That’s what we do. Every time we score, Christian’s out there. … I knew that it had nothing to do with it. I hate
that people are saying that.”
Williams had a productive first two NFL seasons, both which ended after eight games. Over his 16 NFL games, he has recorded 50 receptions, 716 yards and seven touchdowns. He feels he can still return to form and be the big 6-foot-5 pass-catching target the Dolphins could use.
“The ceiling’s still high,” said Williams, 24. “I’m still relatively young in the league. I got to prove myself.”
Roberts was coming back from a knee injury suffered on Dec. 26 in Las Vegas.
He was seen on Thursday doing linebacker drills with his unit but not any team setting against the
Falcons. During one special teams period, he was on a vacant field, working on dropbacks into coverage with an assistant.
“I’m going to just continue, with my situation, to take it one day at a time,” said Roberts, taking a conservative approach to his recovery after he was involved in some offseason walkthroughs during organized team activities and minicamp.
“I feel like we had a good plan around it. Offseason, it was a walkthrough, so I was able to get some mental reps and stuff like that. … It’s just another step in the right direction.”
Roberts was a run-stopping specialist last year, working on the inside of the linebacking corps with Jerome Baker. He finished fourth on the team with 61 tackles in 402 defensive snaps, adding one sack, a forced fumble and recovered fumble in 13 games.
While the Dolphins traded for another inside linebacker in Benardrick McKinney in the offseason, they brought Roberts back on a one-year deal worth a little more than $2 million.
“The organization, [coach Brian Flores and general manager Chris Grier], they had a lot of confidence during my rehab process,” said Roberts, “and they had confidence in me just allowing them to take it one day at a time, not setting too big of expectations. Now, it’s just another steppingstone.”
Both return to position groups that have been depleted by injuries in training camp. The Dolphins’ wide receiving corps remained without DeVante Parker, Will Fuller, Albert Wilson and Isaiah Ford at Thursday’s practice, while
Allen Hurns was placed on injured reserve on Tuesday with a wrist injury.
On Thursday, Lynn Bowden limped off the practice field after making an impressive extension for a Jacoby Brissett pass to haul it in. He was seen grabbing his right hamstring.
Among Miami linebackers, Vince Biegel is injured and Sam Eguavoen is on the team’s COVID list. Jaelan Phillips recently returned from injury, and Andrew Van Ginkel also missed time briefly in camp.
The Dolphins also announced the signing of linebacker Josh Harvey Clemons on Thursday to help with the setbacks at the position.
Harvey Clemons, who opted out during the pandemic last season, has played in 35 NFL games, all for the Washington Football Team over three seasons (2017-19). He has 29 tackles (21 solo), 1 ½ sacks and four passes defensed, adding 12 special teams tackles (eight solo). Harvey Clemons was a seventh-round pick (No. 230) by Washington in the 2017 NFL draft.
Tight end Cethan Carter and defensive backs Brandon Jones and Javaris Davis also did not participate on Thursday.
Cornerback Noah Igbinoghene was out of his red, no-contact jersey he wore at Wednesday’s practice. Rookie tight end Hunter Long, on his birthday, was still wearing a brace on his left knee as he participated on Thursday in what was an impressive showing for the third-round pick out of Boston College, making several catches against Falcons secondteam defenders.