Dolphins' Ground Attack Shines Amidst Quarterback Controversy

WHO:

miamidolphins.com - The Miami Dolphins signed quarterback Brady Cook to the practice squad and released running back Jarquez Hunter from the practice squad.

miamidolphins.com - Head Coach Jeff Hafley praised Ollie Gordon II, stating, "I am extremely proud of how Ollie has played, how hard he's run, and the job that he's done, and I think he's taken a big step in his career."

miamidolphins.com - Miami Dolphins, Cincinnati Bengals, Head Coach Jeff Hafley, quarterback Malik Willis, running back De'Von Achane, second-year running back Ollie Gordon II, wide receivers Chris Bell and Malik Washington, Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, quarterback Joe Burrow, rookie cornerback Chris Johnson, cornerback Juju Brents, cornerback Jason Marshall Jr.

WHAT:

miamidolphins.com - Brady Cook has appeared in five career games with four starts, completing 88-of-153 passing attempts for 739 yards and two touchdowns.

miamidolphins.com - Cook played collegiately at Missouri, where he completed 746-of-1,139 passing attempts for 9,013 yards with 49 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.

miamidolphins.com - Jarquez Hunter was originally acquired by Miami via a trade with the Rams and has appeared in five career games in one season with Los Angeles.

miamidolphins.com - Hunter was a fourth-round selection (117th overall) by the Rams in the 2025 NFL Draft and recorded 539 rushing attempts for 3,371 yards and 25 touchdowns at Auburn.

miamidolphins.com - Quarterback Malik Willis added 74 rushing yards on eight attempts during the game against the Bengals.

miamidolphins.com - Malik Willis has 186 rushing yards this season, ranking second among quarterbacks, behind Jayden Daniels with 203 rushing yards.

miamidolphins.com - The Dolphins' run defense ranks sixth in the NFL, allowing just 3.7 yards per carry on the season.

miamidolphins.com - The Dolphins lost 31-24 to the Bengals.

miamidolphins.com - The Dolphins ran for 457 yards in three games since losing Achane, averaging 152.3 yards per game.

miamidolphins.com - Ollie Gordon II scored touchdowns in all three games and ran for 229 yards on 44 attempts, averaging 5.2 yards per carry.

miamidolphins.com - Miami's rushing performance against the Bengals totaled 217 yards, averaging 6.4 yards per carry.

miamidolphins.com - The Dolphins turned the ball over three times, resulting in two interceptions and a fumble recovery for the Bengals.

WHERE:

miamidolphins.com - The game took place at Hard Rock Stadium.

WHEN:

miamidolphins.com - The Dolphins' best rushing performance of the season occurred during the game against the Bengals.

WHY:

miamidolphins.com - Hafley commented on the kickoff return that set up the Bengals' first touchdown, saying, "You can't open up the game and have a kickoff return go down inside the 10-yard line. That's just a tough way to basically spot them seven points and start from there and start in a hole."

miamidolphins.com - Head Coach Jeff Hafley stated, "You can't turn the ball over three times... You're never going to win a game turning the ball over three times."

miamidolphins.com - Hafley mentioned that the kickoff return that set up the Bengals' first touchdown was a "tough way to basically spot them seven points."

HOW:

miamidolphins.com - Cook entered the NFL as an undrafted college free agent in 2025 with the Jets.

miamidolphins.com - Rookie cornerback Chris Johnson recorded his first forced takeaway by punching the ball free from Cincinnati running back Samaje Perine inside the Miami 10-yard line.

miamidolphins.com - Miami's run defense held the Bengals to less than four yards per carry, allowing just 3.7 yards per carry on the season.

The Miami Dolphins have signed quarterback Brady Cook to their practice squad while releasing running back Jarquez Hunter. Cook, who played at Missouri, has appeared in five career games with four starts, completing 88 of 153 passing attempts for 739 yards and two touchdowns. Hunter was originally acquired through a trade with the Rams and has played in five career games, after being selected in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.