The Miami Dolphins’ revamped secondary suffered a major setback this week as starting cornerback Kader Kohou will miss the entire 2025 NFL season after suffering a knee injury in practice, head coach Mike McDaniel announced Wednesday.
Kohou, who joined the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2022 and quickly established himself as the team’s starting nickel corner, sustained the injury during one-on-one drills early in Saturday’s practice. He limped to the locker room accompanied by a team medical staffer, and further testing revealed the severity of the damage. The Dolphins will place him on injured reserve.
“He’s been such a steady presence for us,” McDaniel said. “It’s tough losing someone like Kader who brings not only talent but leadership and toughness to that room.”
Kohou’s absence comes as Miami’s secondary is undergoing significant changes this offseason. The 26-year-old was the lone returning starter among the defensive backs after the Dolphins moved on from several veterans and added new faces through free agency and the draft.
In response to Kohou’s injury, Miami quickly signed veteran nickel cornerback Mike Hilton to help stabilize the position. Hilton, 31, has started 87 games over his career with the Steelers and Bengals and brings experience and versatility to a cornerback group suddenly short on depth.
The Dolphins’ injury concerns didn’t stop there. Safety Ashtyn Davis left Tuesday’s practice early after suffering a left leg injury during team drills. According to those in attendance, Davis stayed on the ground for several moments, visibly frustrated, before limping off and eventually returning on crutches with his left foot in a walking boot.
McDaniel said he feared the worst initially, given the noncontact nature of the injury, but added that the diagnosis “wasn’t the worst.” Davis will be re-evaluated in a few days, but the injury is not expected to be season-ending.
The Dolphins open preseason play in just over a week, and defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver will now face the challenge of reconfiguring his defensive backfield without Kohou while awaiting Davis’ status.
“Football throws challenges at you all the time,” McDaniel said. “We have to adjust, and guys have to step up. That’s what this league is about.”
The Dolphins are scheduled to kick off their 2025 regular season in September, hoping to build on last year’s playoff appearance despite early adversity.
