MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins wide receiver Erik Ezukanma is back this offseason after missing most of his second NFL campaign with a neck injury.
Anything involving the neck for a football player, especially when it’s an ailment that has recurred, could potentially have scary career implications.
Ezukanma admits it was an ailment that gave him concerns for his future in the NFL, but heading into his third season, he has set it behind him.
“Yeah, that was definitely a question,” he said after Tuesday’s organized team activities, “but I feel like I’m good now, 100 percent.”
And Ezukanma stood out at the Dolphins’ first OTA session open to the media, making at least three catches on routes over the middle at various depths.
Miami’s fourth-round draft pick from 2022 who only has one career reception stepped up at a voluntary practice that had top Miami receivers Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and newly signed Odell Beckham Jr. absent.
“Being out last year, I felt like I was limited to opportunities,” Ezukanma said. “So being out here this year, OTAs, getting back into things, seeing a defense, running routes against bodies and just getting a good feel for it.”
Showings like that could put Ezukanma in the running to be the Dolphins’ fourth wide receiver behind that established trio. Braxton Berrios, who is also valued as a return specialist, River Cracraft and rookie late-round draft picks Malik and Tahj Washington are also among those that will be in the running for that role.
“I feel like I’m a baller,” Ezukanma said. “We bring in guys to help with the depth, but overall, training camp comes and that’s when you make the team.”
Ezukanma participates in offseason workouts with a greater appreciation for the game after it was taken away from him last September because a preexisting neck ailment resurfaced, placing him on the non-football injury list for the rest of the year.
While specific details about the injury have been kept under wraps, Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel last year offered: “We’re kind of exploring the potential of a re-aggravation of an injury that he’s had before he got here. So we’re just kind of trying to get information on that. Don’t really have the specific instance. It’s more of cautiously looking through that lens because it was something with his neck that he’s had in college.”
Ezukanma started his professional career as a training camp and preseason standout ahead of his rookie year. Come that first regular season, though, he was a regular on pregame inactive lists despite being healthy. He made his first career catch in the regular season finale that 2022 season.
He appeared to enter 2023 with a newfound role, active in the ground game on end-arounds and jet sweeps. Although Ezukanma didn’t make a reception in the first two games last season, he had five rushes for 22 yards before the neck issue cut his sophomore campaign short.
Said Ezukanma on Tuesday: “Everybody goes through their adversities and all those things, but I feel like we’re here now and I’m ready to go.”
One thing Ezukanma possesses that the other Dolphins receivers don’t is height. He is the tallest wide receiver on the roster this offseason at 6-foot-2.
It’s also a third season for him in the same offense under McDaniel, offensive coordinator Frank Smith and wide receivers coach Wes Welker, a fellow Texas Tech alum.
“Just working out every day, staying with the process,” Ezukanma said. “I feel like I’m in a good spot knowing the offense, being able to just go out there and play fast.”
