Dolphins' Gordon feeling like old self. And Austin Jackson reportedly out weeks

Miami Herald

3 days ago

When the Dolphins drafted Ollie Gordon II in the sixth round, they hoped they would be getting the 2023 version -- the one who led major college football in yards rushing and touchdowns -- and not the necessarily 2024 version, who saw his per carry average drop from 6.1 to 4.6.
Though it's too early to know for sure, Gordon says he feels again like the 2023 incarnation, the one who steamrolled for 1732 yards and 21 TDs for Oklahoma State.
'In 2023, I was just getting the ball and running down hill, honestly,' he said Friday. 'In 2024, I felt like I was trying to make it more of a home run. I was trying to make it something instead of just taking what they gave me, and I feel like working with [Dolphins running backs coach Eric Studesville] has been great. He's helping me, telling me everything doesn't have to be a home run [and instead to] take it a little four or five yards and go about your day.'
Though Gordon and the other backs have had some runs stuffed at or near the line of scrimmage, he also has displayed strong burst and physicality on a bunch of other runs.
'He is learning by mistakes and so far he's responded in a great way,' coach Mike McDaniel said Friday.
One of those mistakes was a fumble during a recent practice; Gordon said he hasn't fumbled in a game since early last season at Oklahoma State.
He was angrier at himself after that fumble than anytime in his three-plus months as a pro.
'Me fumbling, that's just not me,' he said. 'And then putting the ball on the ground in front of my teammates, especially in front of my vets, they probably look at me like, 'Oh, he does this on a regular [basis].'
'The d-linemen push me every day. They tell me, 'I'm going to take the ball from you.' Every time a ball is on the ground after practice, I'll come into the locker room, and they will be like, 'That was you? That was you?' I'm like, 'Nah, bro, that wasn't me.' I feel like I've got to take care of the ball to earn their trust.'
Though his numbers last year were solid for Oklahoma State (880 yards rushing, 13 touchdowns), he slipped in the draft mostly because of the regression from 2023.
'He was a hard guy for me to evaluate because what am I getting?' ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller said. 'Am I getting 2023 when he was aggressive and violent and making plays downhill? He was a Heisman candidate in 2023. In 2024, he didn't look the same. I didn't see the same urgency from him. Didn't see the same ability to finish some of those inside runs or run away from tacklers. Can they get him locked in and get him back to 2023 because he can be a really physical, punishing, downhill back?'
But ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. attributed his drop in production last season to the Cowboys' poor offensive line: 'There was no running room at all. He was hitting a wall. You would have needed Barry Sanders back there. Ollie Gordon is not that elusive, but the offensive line did nothing to help him.'
Gordon, Jaylen Wright and Alexander Mattison are battling for the No. 2 job behind De'Von Achane. Though Wright entered as the front-runner, Mattison has had the best camp. But Gordon has been very solid.
Though they're competing against each other, Gordon said Mattison is helping him: 'He's a great person. .He'll tell me certain things like, 'Maybe if you do this better, it'll be better for this.' It's always him trying to uplift me and help me out.'
And with regard to Achane, 'even though I'm not as fast, I can still learn from him.'
Gordon said he believes he has a good handle on the playbook: 'My vets take the time out of their day to help me, and my coach takes one on one time with me. I'm just glad I'm able to put my pride aside and actually ask my vets for help instead of acting like that stuck up rookie. They don't make fun of me for stuff I don't know; they actually help me.'
Gordon is named after his father, but his mother had a solution to deal with any confusion stemming from having two Ollie Gordons in the household.
'She either calls me 'Noon,' or 'Sunshine,'' Gordon said. 'Then other people that know my dad, they call me 'O2' or 'OJ.''
'I actually don't like being called 'junior.' I'd rather you call it 'the second.' I feel like 'junior' is such a copy and paste, and I feel like 'the second,' I kind of have my own identity. Everybody else kind of goes by junior, so I'm cool with going by the second.'
Injury updates
Dolphins right tackle Austin Jackson has a lower extremity injury and will be sidelined for 'weeks,' NFL Network's Cam Wolfe reported. The hope is he will return in time for Week 1 at the Colts. The Dolphins' backup right tackles (Larry Borom, Ryan Hayes) haven't been effective in camp. Tackle/guard Kion Smith also can play there. Liam Eichenberg remains on the physically unable to perform list with a leg injury.
▪ Linebacker Jaelan Phillips had his left knee examined by trainers after an injury in 11 on 11 drills and left Saturday's practice early, but later said on social media that it was 'just a bruise' after he was 'leg whipped.'
▪ Receiver Dee Eskridge was carted off the field late in practice after grabbing his hamstring.
▪ Cornerback Cam Smith (compression sleeve on leg) and Jackson missed practice, as did safeties Ashtyn Davis (out long-term with a leg injury), Dante Trader Jr. (expected back soon), tight end Jalin Conyers (out indefinitely with a leg injury) and offensive lineman Bayron Matos.
▪ Biggest play Saturday: Zach Wilson's pass popped out of the hands of tight end Tanner Conner, and linebacker Willie Gay Jr. snatched it out of the air and returned it for a touchdown. Gay has been a star of training camp.