Hafley gives updates: Who’s in and who’s out Sunday. And Proctor/Rodriguez talk

An ankle injury likely will sideline Dolphins receiver Caleb Douglas for a third consecutive game.

Read more Miami Herald High School Athlete of the Week 6: Esha Nagalla of Ransom Everglades golf

Coach Jeff Hafley said Douglas would run on Friday but is unlikely to play Sunday against the visiting Bengals (1 p.m., Fox 7).

Hafley said defensive end Robert Beal Jr. (hamstring), tight end Justin Joly (concussion) and cornerback Reese Taylor (quadriceps) are out Sunday. Taylor will miss a few weeks.

Linebacker Jackson Woodard (ankle) will practice Friday, and his status for Sunday is undetermined.

Meanwhile, Hafley said a decision will be made later Friday regarding whether defensive lineman Kenneth Grant would be activated off injured reserve before Sunday’s game.

Grant, who was a limited participant in practice the past two days, has been sidelined since mid-August with a toe injury.

“I want to make sure he can get through all three practices, and we will make that decision” after Friday’s practice, Hafley said.

The Dolphins have 19 more days to activate him from injured reserve.

Running back Jaylen Wright, who was limited Thursday with a foot issue, will play Sunday.

Cornerback Storm Duck, who is on the physically unable to perform list with a knee injury, has been practicing fully. Hafley was noncommittal about when he would return to the 53-man roster. But there would naturally be a spot for him if the Dolphins put Taylor on injured reserve.

Read more Panthers get good news on Marchand injury days after getting good news on Barkov

This and that

Hafley addressed other issues:

▪ Asked if there’s any scenario where right guard Kadyn Proctor could play tackle this season (barring injuries), Hafley didn’t want to rule it out.

Have Hafley and general manager Jon Eric Sullivan discussed whether they definitely want to leave Proctor at guard all season or move him to right tackle? “Sully and I discuss a lot of things,” Hafley said, declining to answer.

Dolphins right tackle Austin Jackson has allowed 11 quarterback pressures this season, but Hafley said he and the line played well against Minnesota. Proctor played tackle at Alabama.

▪ Hafley, on the improved communication in the secondary: “A lot of that will happen with time coming together. A lot of things happen fast, where you almost have to be able to finish each’s others sentences.”

Michael Taaffe says players have been meeting on their own to make sure their communication is on point.

”That’s going to help; some of them went out to dinner last night,” Hafley noted.

▪ Hafley’s relationship with middle linebacker Jacob Rodriguez is similar to an offensive coordinator with a quarterback, he said. That’s because Rodriguez relays Hafley’s defensive play calls; they meet at 6:30 a.m. Wednesdays to go over the calls (several others, including Jordyn Brooks, also are in the room).

“I’m in contact with him as much as any other player for that reason,” Hafley said. “I love Jacob. I trust him. I have total confidence in him. He has so much great football ahead of him. I love the way he works. I have a great connection with him, and that will continue to grow in time.”

Read more Rubio backs Venezuela transition talks but offers no timeline for elections

This story was originally published October 9, 2026 at 11:06 AM.