Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley has indicated that starting quarterback Malik Willis is on track to return to the field this Sunday as the team prepares for a critical AFC East road matchup against the New York Jets. Speaking to reporters following the team’s practices, Hafley expressed confidence in his signal-caller’s availability after Willis tended to a minor, undisclosed injury coming out of Miami’s Week 5 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
"I foresee him being good to go," Hafley said, allaying concerns that had surfaced among fans and analysts during the team’s recent bye week.
The physical concern first drew notice when Willis was not spotted throwing during the Dolphins’ lone unofficial practice session during their Week 6 bye. While the dual-threat quarterback did not appear to be visibly hampered during the grueling 31-24 defeat against Cincinnati—a game in which he played every single offensive snap—the lack of throwing activity during the break raised natural questions regarding his overall health. However, with the extra days of rest and recuperation provided by the bye week, Willis appears to have successfully navigated any physical hurdles. The organization fully expects him to log a full complement of practice repetitions without limitations as they ready themselves to face a 2-4 Jets squad on the road.
The matchup against New York represents an important opportunity for Willis and the Dolphins offense to steady the ship following a difficult opening stretch of the 2026 NFL campaign. Signed to a three-year, $67.5 million contract with Miami in March of 2026, Willis entered the year carrying high expectations as the undisputed leader of the franchise’s offense. His journey to this point has been marked by steady evolution, ranging from his early days as a third-round draft pick by the Tennessee Titans in 2022 to proving his mettle as a capable spot-starter and backup during an impressive stint with the Green Bay Packers. Now firmly entrenched as the starter in South Florida, Willis is tasked with steering the Dolphins through a competitive AFC landscape.
Thus far in the 2026 season, Willis has showcased both his dynamic playmaking capability and the growing pains associated with learning a new system and adjusting to a full-time starting role. During the Week 5 loss to Cincinnati, Willis demonstrated his immense value as a runner while battling through the air. He completed 15 of 27 pass attempts for 137 yards and one touchdown, while adding a stellar 74 yards on eight carries. Yet, the contest also underscored the high-variance nature of his current output, as he committed three total turnovers, including two interceptions and a lost fumble.
That performance mirrored several of his outings earlier in the year. In Week 4 against the Minnesota Vikings, the Dolphins’ offense was heavily stifled in a 15-10 defensive struggle, with Willis completing nine of 17 passes for 85 yards alongside 11 rushing yards and a lost fumble. A week prior, in a 24-10 defeat at the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs, he managed 210 yards through the air on 20-of-36 passing while rushing nine times for 56 yards, though he was again plagued by a lost fumble and an interception.
Even during earlier September matchups, such as a 35-13 loss to the San Francisco 49ers where he posted modest numbers highlighted by a 77-yard touchdown connection, or his uneven team debut against the Las Vegas Raiders—where he threw for 200 yards and an interception while rushing for 39 yards and a touchdown—Willis has consistently flashed the electrifying dual-threat traits that made him a coveted asset.
Those traits were on full display during the preseason, offering a glimpse of the offensive ceiling the Dolphins hope to unlock on a consistent basis. Back on August 14, during the preseason opener against the Washington Commanders, Willis delivered a sharp, highly efficient performance during his lone possession on the field. Operating the offense with apparent comfort, he completed four of five passes for 43 yards and added nine rushing yards. He successfully orchestrated an impressive 14-play, 93-yard scoring drive that culminated in a one-yard rushing touchdown by running back De’Von Achane, prompting praise from observers regarding his command of the playbook and his readiness for the regular season.
As the Dolphins return to action following the Week 6 break, the focus shifts entirely to executing a game plan capable of unlocking a struggling offense and capturing a vital divisional victory. With Hafley confirming that Willis has put his minor injury concerns behind him, the fifth-year quarterback will step back onto the gridlock facing no expected practice limitations. For Willis and the Dolphins, Sunday’s contest against the Jets provides a prime stage to translate weeks of preparation and health recovery into a cohesive, turnover-free performance that can jumpstart their season.
