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Dolphins Place Cornerbacks Darrell Baker Jr. and Storm Duck on Active/PUP List Ahead of Training Camp
The Miami Dolphins announced Thursday that cornerbacks Darrell Baker Jr. and Storm Duck will open the 2026 training camp on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. The decision comes as the team prepares to set its 90‑man roster on Tuesday, July 18, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens.
The Active/PUP designation is reserved for players who suffer football‑related injuries before camp begins. Those on the list count toward the 90‑man limit but are prohibited from practicing until a medical clearance is granted. Once a player passes a physical, the Dolphins can activate him at any time.
Storm Duck, a second‑year cornerback who entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2024, suffered a knee injury in October 2025 that ended his season. He has been participating in the offseason rehabilitation program, but the organization has elected to keep him on the PUP list to monitor his progress. The move signals a cautious approach to a player who was expected to compete for significant playing time in 2026.
Darrell Baker Jr., who joined Miami earlier this offseason after stints with the Colts and Titans, has not disclosed the nature of his injury. The Dolphins have not released details, but the player’s absence delays a competition that many anticipated would shape the final cornerback spots on the roster. Baker brings NFL experience and was projected to add veteran depth to a secondary that has undergone significant changes.
Miami’s secondary has been a focal point of the front office’s rebuild. The team selected first‑round cornerback Chris Johnson in the 2026 draft, and his development will be a key storyline of camp. With Baker and Duck unavailable, younger defensive backs—including reserve corners and special‑teams contributors—will receive increased practice reps during the opening weeks. Consistent reps are critical for cornerbacks, where chemistry, communication, and confidence are built against NFL receivers.
The Dolphins’ coaching staff has emphasized competition throughout the roster. The new staff’s approach means that missing valuable camp reps could make it more difficult for either Baker or Duck to secure a meaningful role once the regular season begins. The team will monitor the health of its secondary closely, as injuries and depth concerns have been a recurring theme in previous seasons.
The Active/PUP list does not preclude a player from returning for the regular season. Many players spend only a short time on the list before rejoining practice. The Dolphins hope both Baker and Duck can pass their physicals and return to camp as soon as possible.
The training camp schedule, announced on July 8, includes daily practices and a return to Hard Rock Stadium for public sessions. The Dolphins’ roster moves, combined with the new coaching emphasis on competition, set the stage for a highly watched camp. The organization’s focus on the secondary’s health and depth will be a key storyline as the team prepares for a season that could see significant changes in defensive play.
In summary, the Dolphins have placed cornerbacks Darrell Baker Jr. and Storm Duck on the Active/PUP list as they begin training camp. The move reflects a cautious approach to injuries sustained before camp and highlights the importance of depth and practice reps in the secondary. The team will monitor the players’ recovery and look to integrate them into the roster as soon as medical clearance is obtained.
The Dolphins’ 2026 season will hinge on how the secondary develops during camp and how the coaching staff manages competition among cornerbacks. The organization’s next steps will determine whether Baker and Duck can return to contribute in the regular season and how the team’s defensive depth chart evolves.
The Active/PUP designation is reserved for players who suffer football‑related injuries before camp begins. Those on the list count toward the 90‑man limit but are prohibited from practicing until a medical clearance is granted. Once a player passes a physical, the Dolphins can activate him at any time.
Storm Duck, a second‑year cornerback who entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2024, suffered a knee injury in October 2025 that ended his season. He has been participating in the offseason rehabilitation program, but the organization has elected to keep him on the PUP list to monitor his progress. The move signals a cautious approach to a player who was expected to compete for significant playing time in 2026.
Darrell Baker Jr., who joined Miami earlier this offseason after stints with the Colts and Titans, has not disclosed the nature of his injury. The Dolphins have not released details, but the player’s absence delays a competition that many anticipated would shape the final cornerback spots on the roster. Baker brings NFL experience and was projected to add veteran depth to a secondary that has undergone significant changes.
Miami’s secondary has been a focal point of the front office’s rebuild. The team selected first‑round cornerback Chris Johnson in the 2026 draft, and his development will be a key storyline of camp. With Baker and Duck unavailable, younger defensive backs—including reserve corners and special‑teams contributors—will receive increased practice reps during the opening weeks. Consistent reps are critical for cornerbacks, where chemistry, communication, and confidence are built against NFL receivers.
The Dolphins’ coaching staff has emphasized competition throughout the roster. The new staff’s approach means that missing valuable camp reps could make it more difficult for either Baker or Duck to secure a meaningful role once the regular season begins. The team will monitor the health of its secondary closely, as injuries and depth concerns have been a recurring theme in previous seasons.
The Active/PUP list does not preclude a player from returning for the regular season. Many players spend only a short time on the list before rejoining practice. The Dolphins hope both Baker and Duck can pass their physicals and return to camp as soon as possible.
The training camp schedule, announced on July 8, includes daily practices and a return to Hard Rock Stadium for public sessions. The Dolphins’ roster moves, combined with the new coaching emphasis on competition, set the stage for a highly watched camp. The organization’s focus on the secondary’s health and depth will be a key storyline as the team prepares for a season that could see significant changes in defensive play.
In summary, the Dolphins have placed cornerbacks Darrell Baker Jr. and Storm Duck on the Active/PUP list as they begin training camp. The move reflects a cautious approach to injuries sustained before camp and highlights the importance of depth and practice reps in the secondary. The team will monitor the players’ recovery and look to integrate them into the roster as soon as medical clearance is obtained.
The Dolphins’ 2026 season will hinge on how the secondary develops during camp and how the coaching staff manages competition among cornerbacks. The organization’s next steps will determine whether Baker and Duck can return to contribute in the regular season and how the team’s defensive depth chart evolves.
