Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Vic Fangio gave some optimistic updates on two star players from his unit on Tuesday: injured cornerback Jalen Ramsey and contract-seeking defensive tackle Christian Wilkins.
Vic Fangio on the amount of prep Christian Wilkins needs for the regular season, as he holds in for a new contract:
“I feel good that when that’s resolved, he’ll be ready to go”
— Marcel Louis-Jacques (@Marcel_LJ) August 22, 2023
Fangio said Jalen Ramsey trying to beat projected timeline (December or perhaps November, ESPN says), but too early to tell if he will…. Fangio said Wilkins sitting out 11 on 11 is "administrative deal that I think we'll get resolved." Wilkins is doing everything else.
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) August 22, 2023
Ramsey injured his knee very early in training camp last month and is recovering from surgery. Initial reports said the 28-year-old would miss many months, but he has been posting upbeat updates about his recovery, which coincides with Fangio’s current thinking.
Wilkins is participating in what has become known as a hold-in (as opposed to a holdout), not taking part in team drills while doing everything else as he negotiates for a contract extension that the Dolphins are reportedly optimistic will happen.
Last season, the former first-round pick had 3.5 sacks, 16 tackles for loss and 98 combined tackles, and one rival official recently praised the 27-year-old as a “complete player” in ESPN’s rankings of NFL defensive tackles.
Ramsey is considered one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, which is why the Dolphins traded for him from the Los Angeles Rams this offseason. Miami is looking to improve a pass defense that ranked 27th in passing yards allowed last season.
It is also part of the reason it hired Fangio, who is considered one of the best coordinators in the NFL and said Ramsey might be the best cornerback he has ever worked with. The 65-year-old assistant coach also has been praised by other Dolphins defensive players.
That defense is currently dealing with another distraction with cornerback Xavien Howard reportedly facing a lawsuit in regards to allegedly making secret sex tapes and sharing them.
It has been a tumultuous offseason for the Dolphins, with Tyreek Hill involved in an assault and subsequent NFL investigation, a failed pursuit of running back Dalvin Cook and injuries to offensive tackle Terron Armstead and rookie running back De’Von Achane among the difficulties they’ve faced.
With Miami trying for back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time since the early 2000s, any good news certainly would be welcomed. In this case, the optimistic reports on Ramsey and Wilkins are just that.
