Dolphins training camp dates announced: Early start to 2018

The NFL has announced the starting date for all 32 teams in the league, and the Miami Dolphins will be among the first teams to get back on the field. Under league rules, teams cannot have veterans report to training camp earlier than either July 15 or 15 days prior to their first preseason game, whichever is later. The Dolphins will open their preseason game on August 9, and will use every one of those 15 days prior to their advantage.

The Dolphins’ veterans will report for camp on July 25.

Those same rules, as outlined in the NFL/NFL Players Association collective bargaining agreement, allow teams to have rookies report one week prior to the veterans, and the Dolphins will once again take advantage of that rule.

Miami’s rookies will report for camp on July 18.

The rest of the NFL

The Baltimore Ravens and Chicago Bears will have rookies reporting on July 11 and July 16, respectively, as they prepare for their appearance in the annual Hall of Fame game to open the preseason. The Dolphins will be among the next group of teams to welcome rookies on July 18, along with Jacksonville Jaguars and New Orleans Saints also opening camp with rookies then.

The Los Angeles Chargers will be the last team to have players report, with both the rookies and veterans starting camp on July 27.

Training Camp practice rules

The CBA, in addition to the dates camp can open, also dictates what can happen when during camp.

Day 1: Physicals, meetings, classroom work, running/conditioning

Day 2/3: On-field practices allowed without pads and without contact

Day 4 and on: Two-a-day practices authorized

• No more than 4 hours per day
• No more than 1 practice with pads per day; no more than 3 hours per day; Padded practice defined as any practice with helmets and shoulder pads worn
• Minimum 3 hours between practices; second practice limited to “walk-through” work
• Quarterbacks, punters, kickers, and long snappers may elect to wear helmet and/or shoulder pads during non-padded practices
• Players with head injuries may be directed to wear a helmet by team medical staff as a precaution during non-padded practices
• Quarterbacks and defensive player who receives signals from coaching staff may wear helmets to receive communications from sidelines
• Teams are required to video all activities and retain film for at least 30 days after the start of the regular season; the NFLPA will be allowed to view the films of practice if a complaint is made about the team’s workouts

Compensation

Players typically do not receive their base pay during training camp, instead receiving it weekly during the regular season. During camp, players will receive room-and-board from the team, with clubs typically putting all players in a hotel for the start of camp. If a player does not have a personal residence in the city in which the team plays, the club will continue to provide housing for the player until the Tuesday before the regular season opener.

Players will also receive per diem payments throughout the summer, running from the start of training camp through to the week prior to the team’s regular season opener.

Players will also be reimbursed for “reasonable” travel expenses for the player to return to the team for training camp.

Dolphins rookies

The Dolphins have signed all of their rookies to contracts. A team can have a drafted rookie report to camp without having signed their contract, with a good-faith agreement in place for the team and rookie to continue negotiations should an injury occur. However, most teams and players will either complete a contract agreement prior to camp or the player will holdout the start of camp until a deal is reached.

Miami’s rookie class is:

R1.11 (11): Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Alabama
R2.10 (42): Mike Gesicki, TE, Penn State
R3.9 (73): Jerome Baker, LB, Ohio State
R4.23 (123) (from CLE via CAR): Durham Smythe, TE, Notre Dame
R4.31 (131) (from NE via PHI): Kalen Ballage, RB, Arizona State
R6.35 (209) (from LAR via KC): Cornell Armstrong, DB, Southern Miss
R7.9 (227) (from SF): Quentin Poling, LB, Ohio
R7.11 (229): Jason Sanders, K, New Mexico

Undrafted FA:
Johnathan Alston, CB, NC State
Cayson Collins, LB, UNC
Jalen Davis, CB, Utah State
Lucas Gravelle, LS, TCU
Connor Hilland, C, William & Mary
Buddy Howell, RB, FAU
Greg Joseph, K, FAU
Claudy Mathieu, DE, Notre Dame College
Mike McCray, LB, Michigan
Anthony Moten, DT, Miami
Jamiyus Pittman, DT, UCF
Quincy Redmon, DE, Fairmont State
David Steinmetz, OT, Purdue