Chop Robinson’s Injury Has Miami Dolphins Fans Holding Their Breath
Just when Miami Dolphins fans thought they might catch a break from the injury bug that’s been feasting on their roster like a Florida mosquito in August, Linebacker Chop Robinson gets carted off the practice field during Wednesday’s joint session with the Detroit Lions.
What Happened To Robinson During Practice?
Robinson went down during team drills in what can only be described as the most unfortunate of circumstances. The second-year linebacker was doing exactly what coaches love to see. Forcing a fumble from Detroit Running Back David Montgomery. Sure, Montgomery managed to recover his own fumble, but Robinson had done his job. The problem? He hurt himself in the process, because that’s just how things go for the Dolphins these days.
The sight of Robinson lying on the ground for what felt like an eternity before being carted off had to send chills down the spine of every Dolphins fan watching. Here is a guy who was supposed to be one of the bright spots in what’s been a defensive unit plagued by injuries, and now he’s potentially joining the ever-growing list of Miami players spending more time in the training room than on the field.
Robinson Was Primed For a Breakout Season
This injury couldn’t come at a worse time for Robinson, who had been generating serious buzz during training camp. The first-round pick from last year’s draft put together a solid rookie campaign with six sacks, which isn’t bad for a guy learning the ropes in the NFL. But everyone around the organization seemed convinced that 2025 was going to be his coming-out party.
“Chop — he’s a different breed. The way he moves, his get off, how low he runs to the ground,” teammate Quinton Bell gushed about Robinson earlier this summer. “I see Chop having another breakout year. He had a great year last year, but I think he’s going to take it to a whole other level.”
Well, that level might have to wait depending on what the MRI reveals. Robinson had been looking like the kind of pass rusher who could finally give Miami’s defense some teeth, something they’ve desperately needed after watching their pass rush disappear faster than tourists when hurricane season hits.
Miami’s Pass Rush Curse Continues
If you’re keeping track at home, this is just the latest chapter in what’s become a horror novel for Miami’s outside linebacker room. The position group has been cursed worse than a Pirates of the Caribbean movie, with key players dropping like flies over the past two seasons.
Bradley Chubb tore his ACL in 2023 and missed the entire 2024 season. Jaelan Phillips also suffered a season-ending injury in 2023, managed to return last year, then promptly tore his ACL again in Week 4. It is like watching the same tragic movie over and over again, except the popcorn gets more expensive each time and the ending never gets better.
This summer was supposed to be different. For the first time, Miami’s pass rush trio of Chubb, Phillips, and Robinson was finally going to take practice snaps together. It was like getting the band back together, except the band keeps losing members before they can record their comeback album.
The Injury Report Keeps Growing
Robinson’s potential injury is just the latest addition to what’s becoming Miami’s very own medical dictionary. The Dolphins have been dropping players faster than a hot potato, and it’s starting to feel like some sort of cosmic joke.
Running Back Alexander Mattison recently landed on season-ending injured reserve with a neck injury. Starting Cornerback Kader Kohou is done for the year with a torn ACL, and veteran cornerback Artie Burns suffered the same fate. At this point, the team’s medical staff probably has ACL repair surgery down to a science.
Some Good News
In what might be the first positive injury update in weeks, both Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle returned to practice on Wednesday after missing Sunday’s preseason opener against the Chicago Bears. Hill had been dealing with an oblique injury that kept him sidelined last week, while Waddle was nursing what Head Coach Mike McDaniel described as a minor injury sustained during a joint practice with the Bears.
Seeing Hill and Waddle back on the field has to provide some relief for a coaching staff that’s probably developing ulcers from watching their roster shrink by the day. These two are the engine that makes Miami’s offense purr, and having them healthy is crucial if the Dolphins want to make any noise this season.
What This Means For Miami’s Defense
The severity of Robinson’s injury remains unknown, which means Dolphins fans are stuck in that awful limbo of hoping for the best while preparing for the worst. If Robinson misses significant time, it would be another devastating blow to a defense that was already trying to figure out how to replace multiple key contributors.
Miami’s defensive coordinator is probably losing sleep trying to piece together a pass rush that can pressure opposing quarterbacks. Robinson was supposed to be a key piece of that puzzle, the young gun who could complement the veterans and provide the kind of relentless pressure that makes quarterbacks uncomfortable.
Without Robinson, the Dolphins might have to get creative with their pass rush schemes, which is just a fancy way of saying they will have to figure out how to get pressure with less talent. It is like trying to make a gourmet meal with whatever’s left in the fridge after a week-long power outage.
The injury also highlights just how thin Miami’s depth is at the position. When you are already dealing with a history of injuries at outside linebacker, losing another key player feels like getting kicked while you’re down. The Dolphins need Robinson healthy, not just for his pass-rushing ability, but for the depth and versatility he brings to the defense.
