Malik Willis and the 0-3 Dolphins aren't panicking ahead of their matchup with the unbeaten Vikings

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Despite a winless start to the season, Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis doesn't see any panic in Miami's locker room.

“We're not the only 0-3 team, and there's not a team that's been undefeated in a long time,” Willis said Wednesday as the Dolphins prepared for this weekend's game at Minnesota. “That's how the game goes. With the media perception — perception is reality. We don't have a win right now, but that's not our reality. We go to work and we watch the tape, and as long as we're continuing to get better, that will lead going out and getting a (win).”

The Vikings are the third straight undefeated team the Dolphins will face. Each of their first four opponents — Las Vegas, San Francisco, Kansas City and Minnesota — is 3-0 entering Week 4.

“We’re playing really good teams; it makes it challenging,” coach Jeff Hafley said. “It makes it I think exciting for some of our young guys who are getting to play and gain experience against some really good teams. ... I think they’ve embraced it. I know they have.”

Hafley said he has seen improvement in the decision-making of Willis, who made his ninth career start in Sunday's loss to the Chiefs. Willis has completed 57% of his passes for 627 yards with a touchdown, two interceptions and a lost fumble this season. He has 101 yards rushing on 17 carries, which is fifth-most among quarterbacks, and has led the Dolphins in rushing twice.

“He got better. I thought he made better decisions than he did and that’s a step forward for him,” Hafley said Monday. “I thought the ball came out a lot on time. I thought the ball came out quicker. We took a couple shots down the field that we’ll continue to work through, and I told the team we’ll keep taking them and we’ll start hitting those. I thought overall he got better at his decision-making process, and I think that will continue to improve.”

The Dolphins may lean on Willis' legs a lot more going forward after losing Pro Bowl running back De'Von Achane to a torn ACL. Achane suffered the injury on the first drive against Kansas City and was placed on injured reserve on Monday.

Hafley said the Dolphins will continue utilizing Willis in the run game situationally. Willis said he's willing to do whatever the team needs.

Backups Jaylen Wright — who missed Week 3 because of a stinger — and Ollie Gordon figure to split backfield duties, and Hafley said the team plans to allow practice squad running backs Jarquez Hunter and Carlos Washington Jr. to compete this week for a spot on the active roster as a third option.

After Achane's injury, Gordon was Miami's only active tailback on Sunday. The third-year running back, who in college won the Doak Walker Award given to the top running back in the country, had 17 carries for 41 yards along with three catches for 14 yards.

“The RBs, we’re going to hold it down for (Achane),” said Wright, who practiced in a limited capacity on Wednesday. “I know he’s going to be happy for that. We should try our best to make him happy, just to continue to build on what he’s been doing.”

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Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis (2) passes the ball during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, in Miami Gardens. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis (2) looks to pass during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, in Miami Gardens. (AP Photo/David Santiago)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers have placed starting cornerbacks Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson on injured reserve ahead of Sunday night's game against the Detroit Lions.

Horn injured his quadriceps during a 21-18 loss to the Cleveland Browns last weekend while Jackson left with a groin injury. Both players will miss a minimum of four games, although Horn's injury could keep him out significantly longer.

Panthers coach Dave Canales wouldn’t confirm a report on Monday that Horn tore his quadriceps muscle and would miss six to 12 weeks. He told reporters that the team was seeking multiple medical opinions on Horn regarding the timeline of the injury.

Canales is expected to provided an update on the injuries after Wednesday's practice.

The injury was significant enough that Horn, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, took to social media to post, “Injuries have held me back from reaching my full potential for too long, and that (stuff) hurts deep down to my core more than words could ever explain.”

Horn went on to say: “I love this game. I love my brothers. And I’m not done. I’ll be back.”

The injuries are particularly concerning given this week’s opponent. The Lions, led by quarterback Jared Goff, rank eighth in the league in passing and third in scoring through three weeks.

The good news for the Panthers is they have a bye in Week 5, which would allow them some time to regroup in the secondary.

Akayleb Evans and rookie Will Lee III are expected to start at cornerback moving forward, while Chau Smith-Wade would be the nickel back.

Evans had 15 starts for the Minnesota Vikings in 2023 but has only two since. It would be the first NFL start for Lee, the team’s fourth-round draft pick.

In corresponding moves, the Panthers signed veteran wide receiver David Moore and running back Anthony Tyus III from the practice squad to fill out the 53-man roster.

Carolina also signed cornerback Robert Rochell to the practice squad.

Moore has appeared in 22 games with seven starts since joining the Panthers in 2024.

Moore could give the Panthers another option at wide receiver if Jalen Coker is unable to play against the Lions. Coker left last weekend's game with a quadriceps injury.

Tyus spent the first three weeks of the 2026 season on the Panthers’ practice squad and was elevated for the team’s Week 3 game against Cleveland. He returned two kickoffs for 47 yards.

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Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) runs with the ball against Carolina Panthers cornerback Mike Jackson (2) during the first half of an NFL football game in Cleveland, Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (8) drops the ball against Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn (8) during an NFL football game in Atlanta, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)