The Miami Dolphins faced the Philadelphia Eagles without their top two cornerbacks, Jalen Ramsey and Xavien Howard, who were sidelined due to injuries
Despite the absence of their star cornerbacks, rookie Cam Smith has not been given much playing time on the defensive unit, accumulating only four snaps in six games
Instead of turning to Cam Smith, the Dolphins opted to utilize Eli Apple and Kader Kohou, with Parry Nickerson and Justin Bethel also getting playing time ahead of Smith
Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel addressed the decision to keep Cam Smith off the field, emphasizing the importance of a young player's natural growth and development
McDaniel believes that having capable players around Smith is vital for his development and that rushing a rookie onto the field, especially in a position like cornerback, can hinder their progress
McDaniel appreciates Cam Smith's work ethic and competitive spirit, indicating that he will have his time on the field, but the timing must be right
The Dolphins faced tough opponents like A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, making it a challenging situation to introduce a rookie like Cam Smith
Some speculate that Smith's presence on the field could have made a difference in crucial plays, potentially preventing first downs or scores and improving Miami's chances of winning
The decision to give Cam Smith NFL action will come at some point, but there may not be a perfect opportunity for his snaps to occur
Ultimately, McDaniel and Fangio will have to trust the rookie's progression and readiness when they decide to include him in the game