Jeff Hafley acknowledged Monday that the Miami Dolphins are discussing lineup changes after an 0-2 start, leaving open the possibility of personnel adjustments before their home opener against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Asked about potential changes, Hafley said conversations were taking place at certain positions and needed to continue.
Would Dolphins make a change to lineup? Jeff Hafley: “There’s certain positions where I'd be lying to you if I didn't say that there was those conversations and that we need to continue to have those conversations.”
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) September 21, 2026
“I’d be lying to you if I didn’t say that there was those conversations,” Hafley said.
The comments followed Miami’s 35-13 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. Hafley did not identify a starter who would be replaced in the remarks, but his answer established that the staff is considering changes beyond corrections on the practice field.
For the Dolphins, the next question is how those discussions translate into playing time. A different starter, a revised rotation and an adjustment to a player’s assignments would each represent a different response to the first two games.
Jeff Hafley also points to coaching adjustments
Hafley’s assessment of Austin Jackson offered some insight into how he is approaching that evaluation. Discussing the tackle Monday, the coach said Miami had opportunities to provide more support after matchups with Maxx Crosby and Nick Bosa.
“Plenty of opportunity for us to help him more,” Hafley said.
Those comments add the coach’s perspective to the protection concerns surrounding Malik Willis after Sunday’s loss. They also leave room for an adjustment that involves how Jackson is used, rather than automatically pointing to a replacement.
Hafley’s broader lineup comments did not specify Jackson as a player whose job would change. His separate acknowledgment that the staff can help the tackle is relevant as Miami decides which problems require different personnel and which call for a different plan.
Dolphins already have a special-teams move underway
One personnel decision has moved beyond discussion. Miami is signing linebacker Andre Jones Jr. from the Buffalo Bills’ practice squad.
The #Dolphins are signing LB Andre Jones Jr. off the #Bills’ practice squad. He reunites with Miami ST coordinator Chris Tabor, who coached Jones in Buffalo last year. pic.twitter.com/OGn51xI2L8
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) September 21, 2026
The move reunites Jones with Dolphins special teams coordinator Chris Tabor, who coached him in Buffalo last season. Hafley confirmed the signing was intended to help special teams.
Miami also announced that it waived inside linebacker Liam Anderson on Monday. Anderson had appeared against San Francisco a day earlier.
The Jones addition gives Miami a specific special-teams response while the broader lineup review continues. It does not establish that Hafley has settled on changes to his offensive or defensive starters, and the coach’s explanation places the immediate emphasis on Jones’ role in the kicking game.
Injuries could shape the Dolphins’ Week 3 lineup
Availability will also influence Miami’s decisions. In Monday’s injury update, Hafley said Caleb Douglas’ status remained uncertain because of his ankle injury.
Jaylen Wright was day-to-day, while Chop Robinson was progressing through concussion protocol ahead of Wednesday’s practice.
Robinson had already missed the San Francisco game because of the concussion. His progress is a development to monitor, although it does not yet establish that he will be available against Kansas City.
Those injury questions make it important to distinguish between a lineup change caused by an absence and one made after a performance review. Either could alter Miami’s personnel in Week 3, but Hafley’s Monday comments did not settle which players would be affected.
The Dolphins host the Chiefs on Sept. 27 at Hard Rock Stadium. With preparations for that game beginning, Hafley has acknowledged that lineup decisions remain part of the work ahead.
