Miami Dolphins Lose Cornerback Artie Burns to Season-Ending ACL Injury

The Miami Dolphins are facing significant challenges in their secondary following the trade of top cornerback Jalen Ramsey to the Pittsburgh Steelers and the season-ending ACL injury of veteran cornerback Artie Burns. Burns' injury, confirmed by an MRI, removes a key depth piece from a cornerback room already thin after the Ramsey trade, which saw Miami acquire safety Minkah Fitzpatrick but lose defensive backfield strength. Burns was expected to contribute more in the 2025 season, but his torn ACL at training camp means he will miss the entire year, further pressuring Miami to seek additional cornerback reinforcements. Despite signing Cornell Armstrong and having projected starters like Storm Duck, Kader Kohou, and Cam Smith, the Dolphins need to explore free agent options such as Asante Samuel Jr. and Rasul Douglas to bolster their diminished cornerback group. Burns, a former first-round pick with experience on multiple NFL teams, was seen as a valuable depth player, but his injury and past struggles highlight the urgency for Miami to address its defensive backfield. The combination of the Ramsey trade and Burns' injury leaves Miami's secondary vulnerable as they head into the 2025-26 NFL season.