Burns feared to have torn ACL. And insight on Cam Smith, Sheffield, Dolphins' young corners

Miami Herald

3 days ago

The Dolphins' began training camp Wednesday in something of an odd predicament: without a proven No. 1 or No. 2 cornerback on the roster. It's a risky place to be in a league where the best teams all have dangerous passing games.
Replacing Jalen Ramsey (who was traded) and Kendall Fuller (who was released and remains unsigned) remains a work in progress.
And the situation only worsened on Wednesday when Artie Burns, the only 30-year-old corner on the roster, was lost to what is feared to be a torn ACL injury. Burns became entangled with a teammate during back–pedal drills early in practice, threw his helmet down in disgust and walked out on crutches.
Per ESPN, Burns is awaiting an MRI to confirm the suspicion that he has a torn ACL.
Though Burns was on the bubble to make the roster, his injury only heightens the need to add a veteran cornerback to complement Kader Kohou, journeyman Kendall Sheffield and eight young players who have a fairly limited NFL body of work, or none at all.
The Dolphins have spoken to multiple veteran cornerbacks who remain unsigned and have made offers to Rasul Douglas, who started 15 games for the Bills last season.
But even with the shortcomings at the position, Miami is not simply handling a starting job to Smith. Though the Dolphins prohibit media from reporting on depth charts until they are announced by the team, it was clear during Wednesday's session that the cornerback spot will be an open competition.
Smith, Sheffield and Storm Duck all have a chance for one or two of the top three cornerback jobs. Rookies Jason Marshall Jr. (a fifth-round pick), BJ Adams and Ethan Robinson, third-year corner Ethan Bonner and second-year corners Isaiah Johnson and Ryan Cooper Jr. also will get a long look.
All of this means Smith, 24, will have every opportunity to earn significant playing time. But far more is needed.
He began last season on injured reserve with a hamstring injury and ended the season on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. In between, he struggled, permitting a 122.4 passer rating in his coverage area, with 16 completions in 19 targets.
Kohou, the only Dolphins' cornerback who would be considered a likely starter, said he sees a difference in Smith, who recovered a fumble by tight end Tanner Conner during Wednesday's practice.
'He's way more focused,' Kohou said. 'If we are all being real, he hasn't played up to his standards and he knows that. So he's working every day hard, he's here a little bit earlier. He's more into his playbook. His body looks better. He's taking care of himself more. Being close to him, he has that mentality: this is the year for him.'
Strengthening his body was one of his missives this offseason.
Late last season, secondary coach Brian Duker said: 'The biggest thing I've talked to Cam about is we would like to see him put on the body armor to play a full shape. He needs to be in shape to do that. Your body has to be in shape to do that.'
So is he out of shape? Duker said to ask the team trainer, who's unavailable to reporters.
Then, in April, general manager Chris Grier said: 'Cam Smith needs to come through at the end of the day. He's got to stay healthy and be on the field. He has shown some flashes, but this is a very big year. He knows what's expected because we can't hold his hand and wait for him anymore.'
The Dolphins also are eager to see what they have in Sheffield, who has played for seven teams but hasn't played a lot of defensive snaps since starting 20 games for the Atlanta Falcons during his first two seasons.
Drafted in the fourth round out of Ohio State, Sheffield started 11 games as a rookie, nine in his second season and none in his third season with Atlanta. His defensive snaps for Atlanta dropped from 700 as a rookie, to 525 last season to just 52 in 2021. The Falcons released him the following offseason.
Since then, he has suited up for Houston, Dallas, San Francisco, Tennessee and the Jets but has played defensive snaps for only two of those teams: 23 for the 49ers in 2023 and 92 for the Jets last season.
The 5-11 Sheffield, who has 423 career special teams snaps, has no interceptions, six passes defended, two forced fumbles and 114 tackles in 49 NFL games.
'He has good feet,' Kohou said of his cornerback skills. 'He doesn't talk much.'
Adams, the undrafted rookie from UCF, was 'one of the better undrafted players,' East/West Shrine Bowl director Eric Galko said in an interview in May.
Adams, 6-2, had two interceptions and returned one for a touchdown last season; he missed three games with a back injury but finished with a strong 80.9 passer rating in his coverage area: 18 completions in 35 attempts for 262 yards, three TDs allowed and the two interceptions.
Timed at 4.53 in the 40-yard dash, Adams had the two picks, 11 pass breakups and 88 tackles (including five for loss) in four seasons at UCF. He has a real chance to make the roster.
Kohou said undrafted rookies Adams and Robinson (who played last season at Minnesota) are 'aggressive as hell. BJ is 6-3, can run, has that mentality that you're not going to catch the ball on him or embarrass him on the field. As a DB, that's one thing you've got to kind of have aside from your skill set. He has already as a young guy. I'm excited to see what he can do.'
Kohou, who said he's fine playing either in the slot or on the boundary, said the team's young corners are 'confident in themselves. The coaches are too. The vets are too. What they've shown so far from the day they got here, I have no worries that if they have to go in a game, they [will perform].'
Coach Mike McDaniel, asked Wednesday if the team wants to add a veteran cornerback, said: 'If you have youth at a position, you have confidence in it [before others do]. We're not closing the door on anything. There are multiple players we talk about every day. Also very excited with some guys who have a lot to prove and are excited about the opportunity.'