Jalen Ramsey intercepts pass in Dolphins debut

MIAMI GARDENS — One game with the Miami Dolphins, one interception for Jalen Ramsey.

The new Dolphins cornerback intercepted New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones in the second quarter of Ramsey’s debut with his new team Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium.

Ramsey had not been targeted up until the interception, which occurred on the first play after the first half’s two-minute warning. The Dolphins offense drove down for a field goal that put the ahead, 17-7, with 26 seconds left before halftime.

Ramsey made his Dolphins debut roughly three months after he had a procedure done to repair the meniscus in his left knee. He injured it in the second practice of training camp in late July.

Earlier Sunday, Ramsey got his helmet on a football to force a fumble on New England running back Ezekiel Elliott, but it was negated by a holding penalty called on the Patriots.

While Ramsey made his first start with Miami, he was not able to start opposite fellow All-Pro cornerback Xavien Howard, who was inactive for a second consecutive week as he deals with a groin injury. Howard entered Sunday questionable to play.

Ramsey was activated off injured reserve Saturday after a second week of practice since being designated to return.

The Dolphins acquired Ramsey, a six-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro selection, in an offseason trade with the Los Angeles Rams.

Hunt injured

Dolphins right guard Robert Hunt exited Sunday’s game against the Patriots with a hamstring injury in the middle of the second quarter.

Blocking downfield on a catch and run by Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, Hunt went down and was grabbing his left leg.

Hunt, who is questionable to return, was able to get up and walk gingerly to the sideline for the evaluation in the team’s medical tent before proceeding into the locker room.

After halftime, Hunt appeared to slam his helmet down in frustration upon receiving word he wasn’t getting sent back on the field to start the second half.

Hunt leaving the field meant the Dolphins were down to an offensive line with just one preseason projected starter, right tackle Austin Jackson.

In short order after that, left tackle Kendall Lamm, who was already playing for starter Terron Armstead while he’s on injured reserve, went down with an abdomen injury. Lamm, though, returned for the second half.

Center Connor Williams is active Sunday after entering questionable with a groin injury, but he only appears to be going in if there’s an emergency scenario. Liam Eichenberg started at center. Lester Cotton started at left guard for Isaiah Wynn, who went on IR this past week.

Once Hunt exited, Cotton moved over to right guard, and Robert Jones entered at left guard. Earlier in the first half, Cotton missed a series and Jones entered for him at left guard while Hunt was still playing. Kion Smith entered at left tackle for Lamm.

Other inactives

Other Dolphins inactives, aside from Howard, announced 90 minutes before kickoff were safety Jevon Holland, who was already ruled out Saturday due to concussion protocol, wide receiver Robbie Chosen, defensive tackle Brandon Pili and quarterback Skylar Thompson, who is available as an emergency third quarterback.

With the Dolphins in a nickel package to open Sunday’s action against the Patriots, Ramsey started on one boundary with Eli Apple on the opposite side and Kader Kohou in the slot. Justin Bethel was the team’s sixth defensive back in the dime.

Aside from Howard, Miami had good injury news ahead of Sunday’s game. The other five players that entered with questionable injury designations are available: Williams (groin), running back Raheem Mostert (ankle), fullback Alec Ingold (foot), cornerback Nik Needham (Achilles) and cornerback Cam Smith (foot).

Coach Mike McDaniel already said Friday that Williams was expected to be active, but he was unsure if he would start the center that missed three of the past four games with the groin ailment. Eichenberg started at center after Miami showed him with the first-team offensive line in pregame warmups.

Mostert was expected to be active after saying he was good to go this week. He started at running back.

Without Holland, the Dolphins started Brandon Jones opposite DeShon Elliott, as defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said Thursday.

Needham makes his season debut after tearing his Achilles in October 2022 if he plays. He was in on special teams, on early punt coverage.

The Patriots already ruled out tackle Calvin Anderson on Friday and outside linebacker Josh Uche and tackle Vederian Lowe on Saturday. Added to their inactives Sunday were wide receivers Tyquan Thornton and Kayshon Boutte and quarterback Will Grier, who is available as an emergency third quarterback.

New England linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley injured a hamstring in the first half and will not return.

This story will be updated.