The Dolphins are on a rough slide, dropping three in a row and sitting at a tough 2-6 after eight games. Tua Tagovailoa‘s been back under the center (though he has been firing all cylinders). And yet, no luck. The team still hasn’t found the win column. Now, with a crucial Week 10 matchup against the Rams, there’s a bit of hope—but the injury report might have other plans.

Head Coach Mike McDaniel isn’t exactly handing out any big updates. Let’s just say he is keeping things in classic McDaniel fashion—twisting words in a spiral. He’s keeping it cryptic, hinting that Jevon Holland and Kader Kohou are aiming to suit up. But he’s not handing out guarantees. “They’re pushing to play,” he says, but with a “we’ll see” vibe.

Holland is skipping Thursday’s practice, while Kohou will get a shot to test things out. It’s all up in the air, and with McDaniel’s wordplay, you almost need a playbook to decode what he really means.

As for Holland, he’s dealing with his third knee injury in the past year—tough break for one of Miami’s most crucial defensive assets. He was notably absent in Sunday’s close loss to Buffalo and has been battling injury issues the past couple of seasons. So much for Safety, more like no safety for the safety. Huh, we know it was a poor joke, but you get what we mean.

Meanwhile, the Dolphins’ secondary has taken quite a hit with these recurring absentees. And Jevon Holland’s status remains a huge question mark heading into Monday night. So, in comes rookie safety Patrick McMorris. The boy is finally set to join practice for the first time in the regular season.

And couple that with a sliver of hope for Kohou—he’s missed two weeks with a neck issue, but he’s expected to at least participate in some drills on Thursday. Yeah, that’d do for good news for now. It has to. But the thing is with Jevon there’s more to it than his injury absence.

What’s going on with Jevon Holland and the Phins

The Dolphins have some decisions to make, and Jevon Holland’s future is front and center. With free agency right around the corner next March, he’s looking at a nice payday. And it’s anyone’s guess if Miami will pay up.

Trading Jevon Hollan was a real option before the deadline. But they kept him around. So now we’re left with a big question: what’s next for Miami’s secondary, especially with safety Jordan Poyer also testing free agency?

Enter Bleacher Report’s latest mock draft, which sees the Dolphins eyeing Georgia’s Malaki Starks as Holland’s potential replacement. Starks is the kind of player that’ll have GMs sitting up—hard-hitting, instinctive, and versatile. The guy is pure talent and could start Day 1 without missing a beat. Just one problem: Starks is projected to go top 10, and Miami’s record might not tank enough to give them that high of a pick. But, hey, if they do end up in the top 10 come draft day, a Starks-Ramsey duo in the secondary could be electric.

Imagine that! Miami locking down opposing QBs with two serious playmakers. Jevon Holland’s free agency dance with the Dolphins could mean big changes, and if Miami can’t keep him, they might be angling for someone who can slide right into that starting role. It’s all about positioning for the future and making sure this defense stays rock solid.