The Phinsider
Miami’s starting kick returner suffered a leg injury Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts.
The Miami Dolphins placed wide receiver Braxton Berrios on the injured reserve list and activated cornerback Cam Smith to the 53-man roster on Monday. Berrios suffered a left knee injury during Sunday’s 16-10 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
Berrios returned seven punts for 103 yards and three kickoffs for 76 yards this season. On offense, he’s been targeted just four times over six games. He must miss four games to be activated from injured reserve, meaning the earliest he could return is Week 12 against the New England Patriots.
Rookie Malik Washington is a candidate to step in at kick returner after averaging 19.5 yards on 14 kickoffs for 273 yards last season with the Virginia Cavaliers. Tyreek Hill, despite returning only five kicks since 2019, and second-year running back De’Von Achane both have kick return experience and could step in moving forward.
Smith has been working back from a hamstring injury suffered during Miami’s second preseason game. The 2023 second-round pick was available for 15 games last season but saw just 20 defensive snaps.
With Smith’s return, the Dolphins now have seven cornerbacks on the roster — plenty of depth behind starters Jalen Ramsey, Kendall Fuller, and Kader Kohou in the slot. Siran Neal was signed to help improve special teams and rookie Storm Duck played over 10 percent of snaps just once in the last three games. Second-year cornerback Ethan Bonner has played four total snaps through six games.
Smith’s return strengthens an already solid defense, but Miami now faces the challenge of addressing their kick return situation as they look to rebound from four losses in their last five games.
