The Dolphins were back on the practice field Tuesday to start the third and final phase of the offseason program.
Over the next four weeks, the Dolphins will conduct 10 Organized Team Activity (OTA) sessions, sandwiched around a mandatory three-day veteran minicamp June 5-7.
The OTAs mark the first time in the offseason program that teams are permitted to have the offense go against the defense in 11-on-11, 9-on-7 or 7-on-7 drills.
The Dolphins will practice three times this week, including the first practice open to the media Wednesday. The Dolphins will practice three times next week as well, from Tuesday through Thursday, before closing out the offseason program with four days of OTAs from Monday, June 11 through Thursday, June 14.
Ryan's return: While quarterback Ryan Tannehill has been working since the start of the offseason program, Tuesday marked a milestone of sorts in his comeback from the knee injury that cost him the 2017 season. Tannehill ran onto the field without wearing a knee brace before taking part in his first practice (one that included offense-vs.-defense work) since last August. Tannehill is expected to address the media for the first time since his injury after practice Wednesday.
New look: Weeks after unveiling tweaks to their uniforms, the Dolphins unveiled slightly altered practice jerseys. The noticeable difference was an orange outline of the jersey numbers.
Rookie premiere: Second-round pick Mike Gesicki and fourth-round pick Kalen Ballage were back in South Florida on Tuesday after spending a few days in Los Angeles for the NFL Rookie Premiere. The event, put on by the NFL Players Association, gives selected rookies a crash course on the business aspect of football, including marketing and brand development. The players also got the chance to see their first trading cards and put on their team's jersey.
School spirit: As part of their neverending commitment toward supporting youth and high school football, the Dolphins will be hosting young players throughout the spring. The first visit will be from Coral Gables High on Wednesday, followed by Boca Raton High on Thursday. Other teams visiting will be Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on May 30, Miami Killian High on May 31, Glades Central High on June 6, and North Miami Beach PAL on June 12.
