Jevon Holland’s forced fumble flips fortunes for Dolphins in win over Jaguars

MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Dolphins were on the ropes deep in the third quarter of Sunday’s season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars .

They were down 10 points, 17-7, and the Jaguars were driving deep into Miami territory.

Running back Travis Etienne was charging with a head of steam toward the goal line to add to the Dolphins deficit. Another touchdown, which would make it a three-possession game, would just about put the score out of reach with how sluggish the Miami offense looked.

Jevon Holland to the rescue.

The fourth-year Dolphins safety, who, by the way, has not yet had his long-term contract situation settled with the team as he plays on the last year of his rookie deal, punched the ball loose from Etienne’s grasp. It trickled into the end zone, where cornerback Kader Kohou recovered the fumble for a turnover and touchback.

“We needed a turnover at that point. It was down in the red zone, couldn’t let him score, so I had to get the ball out,” Holland said. “I feel like I can get the ball free on any play. It’s just a matter of timing and then you don’t really think about those things, they kind of just — black out. I practice them.”

The play turned the tide for the Dolphins to end up with the 20-17 Week 1 victory against the in-state foe.

“From my rough memory, I feel like that had to be the play of the game,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said. “You’re talking about a gigantic flip in points and momentum. It was really cool to see a guy, when the opportunity came, he made his play and the team desperately needed it.”

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Sure enough, Miami scored on the ensuing play, as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa hit star wide receiver Tyreek Hill streaking deep across the middle of the field and outrunning two Jaguars defenders for an 80-yard touchdown that brought the score to 17-14. With a couple more field goals and stops the rest of the way defensively, Miami secured the win.

Ramsey plays through injury

This year, the Dolphins got to start the season with their star cornerback available.

Jalen Ramsey played in Sunday’s season opener against the Jaguars.

Ramsey entered Sunday questionable with a hamstring injury, and he indeed started for the Dolphins defense after going through pregame warmups.

He struggled early, getting called for pass interference in the end zone in the first quarter while covering Jaguars rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. The penalty set Jacksonville up for its first touchdown Sunday.

Later, he and safety Jordan Poyer were the nearest defenders that allowed a touchdown in zone coverage to Thomas. Ramsey later was in on a key fourth-down stop that kept Dolphins momentum going in the second half as they mounted their comeback.

Dolphins Deep Dive: Dave Hyde, Chris Perkins break down Miami’s come-from-behind win over Jaguars and talk Tyreek Hill | VIDEO

Ramsey has been managing the nagging ailment over the past several weeks, dating back to the latter portions of training camp. After missing Wednesday and Thursday practices ahead of the opener, he returned to the practice field Friday for a limited session.

It was an eventful week for Ramsey. He also signed a three-year contract extension worth $72.3 million and $55.3 million of it guaranteed.

The seven-time Pro Bowl, three-time All-Pro cornerback was expected to be on somewhat of a limited snap count and he was as he conserves the hamstring through Sunday’s game.

The Dolphins are deploying a similar strategy with outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips in his first game back from last year’s torn Achilles. Phillips also started on the edge Sunday. Part of the thinking is that Miami has a quick turnaround following the Week 1 contest, right back at home on Thursday night against the Buffalo Bills.

With Ramsey in the lineup, the Dolphins used him and Kendall Fuller in a base defense and inserted Kader Kohou in the nickel package.

Young undrafted rookie cornerback Storm Duck got into the mix when Ramsey took snaps off. Second-year player Ethan Bonner was also expected to get into the rotation, but he was announced pregame as a healthy inactive.

Last year, Ramsey missed the first seven games of his first season with the Dolphins recovering from a training camp knee injury.

The other Dolphins injury affecting the game against the Jaguars is the quadriceps ailment that is keeping rookie wide receiver Malik Washington from making his NFL debut Sunday. With Washington out, Miami elevated veteran wideout Robbie Chosen from the practice squad to the game-day roster Sunday.

Rookies from the Dolphins’ past draft class in running back Jaylen Wright and outside linebacker Mohamed Kamara, like Bonner, were also healthy scratches Sunday. Inside linebacker Channing Tindall and undrafted rookie center Andrew Meyer were also deemed inactive.

Slim Tua

Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been secretive this offseason about just exactly how much weight he lost this offseason in his effort to be more mobile.

It was revealed on Sunday’s CBS game broadcast that the figure is actually 14 pounds over the past eight months.

Tagovailoa flashed the added mobility once in the first quarter, but the modest gain scrambling to the left was negated due to a holding penalty called on left guard Robert Jones.

As far as Tagovailoa’s listing on the team’s roster, it says he’s 225 pounds after he was listed at 227 last season.

Injury updates

Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle was briefly evaluated for a concussion in the second quarter. He was in the medical tent but returned to action shortly after taking a big hit.

Linebacker David Long Jr. suffered a hand injury during Sunday’s game.

Jaguars safety Andre Cisco and cornerback Tyson Campbell were among Jaguars players checked out by trainers.

Miami Dolphins place kicker Jason Sanders walks off the field with the ball after kicjking the winning filed goal against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)