The Miami Dolphins ruled out edge rusher Chop Robinson ahead of their Week 2 matchup at San Francisco because of a concussion.
Coach Jeff Hafley told reporters Friday at the team's training site in Napa, California, that Robinson sustained the concussion at practice this week. He was held out of practice Thursday.
Robinson's absence Sunday could hurt a Dolphins' defense that struggled to stop the run and generate pressure against quarterback Kirk Cousins in their Week 1 loss to the Raiders. Cousins completed 21 of 30 passes for 160 yards and three touchdowns, and running back Ashton Jeanty rushed for 102 yards on 23 attempts.
Robinson suffered two concussions last season. The Dolphins are hoping for a leap from the third-year linebacker, who had a strong preseason but made just one tackle and struggled against the run in the season opener. The Dolphins at the end of the season will decide whether to pick up the fifth-year option on his rookie deal.
Without Robinson, the Dolphins likely will turn to veteran Josh Uche and second-year defensive tackle Zeek Biggers. They also have Malik Herring, who signed with them a couple of weeks ago, and Clelin Ferrell, who is on the practice squad but was elevated to the active roster for the opener.
“We might do some other things to help out, but those guys I have confidence in," Hafley said. "They've been getting better. They all haven't been here for the entire time, but they've done a nice job in practice this week and it'll be the next man up.”
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FILE - Miami Dolphins' Chop Robinson (44) warms up during practice at the team's NFL football training camp, July 31, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier, File)wld
Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley speaks during a news conference after an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — The New York Jets ruled out safety Minkah Fitzpatrick ahead of their home opener Sunday against Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers' formidable pass-heavy offense.
Coach Aaron Glenn announced Friday that Fitzpatrick, who is dealing with a groin injury suffered on the Jets' sixth defensive play of their win at Tennessee, would sit out against Green Bay, as expected, along with edge rusher Joseph Ossai (foot), rookie wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. (ankle) and running back/kick returner Kene Nwangwu (back).
Glenn had said earlier in the week that all four are “week to week” with their injuries.
Fitzpatrick's absence is particularly notable this week with the Jets facing the Packers after Love threw for 387 yards and two touchdowns with one interception in a 39-22 loss at Minnesota last Sunday. Green Bay had a fourth-quarter collapse en route to its sixth straight defeat, dating to last season, but the offense showed early it can be productive.
Meanwhile, the Jets are still looking for their first interception since the 2024 season finale, an NFL-record drought of 18 games.
“We know it’s going to be a challenge, our guys know it’s going to be a challenge, coaching staff knows it’s going to be a challenge, but that’s how this league is, and we understand that,” Glenn said. “Every week it’s something new and you never know how these games are going to turn out. So we’re excited to go out and put up a good showing at our first home game of this year for our fans.”
Andre Cisco, a starter last season, is expected to see playing time in Fitzpatrick’s absence opposite Dane Belton.
New York's secondary did get some good news as rookie cornerback D'Angelo Ponds, a second-round pick, is in line to make his NFL debut. Ponds missed nearly all of training camp and the season opener with a calf injury.
“It's been tough,” Ponds said. “I can't lie and say it hasn't. Obviously, me being out a long time, it's been tough for a guy who loves football. So being away from the game, it was tough for me. But I'm back now, healthy, I feel good and ready to go.”
The former Indiana standout could have a major role in the defense as part of the nickel package.
“Our trainers have done an outstanding job of getting him ready to go and he’s been in the meetings, so he’s understanding exactly what we’re doing,” Glenn said. “The thing is, and I’ve always said this, just the time on task of actually out there doing it, that’s what’s somewhat different. We’ll see exactly how this week ends up and see how that goes.”
Cooper, a first-rounder, started last week and had a 30-yard catch-and-run to set up a touchdown on New York's opening drive, but he sprained an ankle and didn't return.
Garrett Wilson, Adonai Mitchell, Isaiah Williams and Arian Smith are the healthy wide receivers on the Jets' active roster, and Glenn said the team was still evaluating what it'll do at the position for the game. New York signed veterans Sterling Shepard and Tyler Johnson to the practice squad earlier this week, and one could be elevated Saturday to play against the Packers.
“We'll see,” Glenn said. “We still have time to figure that out.”
Jason Sanders will remain the Jets' kicker this week after bouncing back from a rough start in the opener.
The former Dolphins star was elevated from the practice squad and got the start at Tennessee ahead of Blake Grupe, who is on the active roster. Sanders made a 33-yard field goal in the second quarter but then missed badly on a 54-yard attempt.
When asked Friday what happened, he said: “Not much. I mean, just tried to hit it too hard.”
Sanders later made field goals of 51 and 52 yards and converted his two extra-point tries.
“I thought it was critical to see him go through that miss and then be able to come back and make, I think it was two 50-something yarders, which I thought was impressive,” Glenn said. “He did a good job and I like the way that he fought back ending up making those field goals.”
Sanders said the Jets have practiced a bit with wet footballs this week since rain is in the forecast for Sunday.
“Nothing changes,” Sanders said. “Everything's going to be the same. The same standard operation.”
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Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) throws a pass under pressure from the Minnesota Vikings defense during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minn. (AP Photo/Bailey Hillesheim)
New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn speaks to journalists following an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)
FILE - New York Jets safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (29) stands on the sideline prior to an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans in Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Stew Milne, File)
