Braxton Berrios, the returner and receiver for the Miami Dolphins, has been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a knee injury. His girlfriend, social media influencer Alix Earle, expressed her disappointment on Instagram following Berrios’s ACL tear during a kick return against the Colts. Earle shared her reflections with her 3.7 million followers, noting how quickly circumstances can change despite the hard work athletes put into their sport both physically and mentally.
The Dolphins are now faced with the challenge of finding a replacement for Berrios on special teams. This season, the former Miami Hurricane recorded seven punt returns for 103 yards, including a long of 44 yards, and had three kickoffs for 76 yards, with a long of 33 yards. His reliability in fielding kicks will be missed.
Potential candidates to take over as punt returners include rookie receiver Malik Washington and veteran receiver Dee Eskridge. Both Washington and running back De’Von Achane could also handle kickoff returns. It appears unlikely that star players Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, or Jevon Holland will take on return duties, especially with the team holding a 2-4 record.
Berrios sustained the injury during a kickoff return in the second half of the recent game in Indianapolis, leaving the field while limping. The 27-year-old, who will enter free agency after this season, also shared a heartfelt message on Instagram about his injury, acknowledging the lengthy recovery ahead but expressing reassurance from past experiences.
To fill Berrios’s spot on the roster, the Dolphins activated cornerback Cam Smith from injured reserve. Smith played 15 games last season but has been sidelined since injuring his hamstring in August. Additionally, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is anticipated to be activated from injured reserve this week as he recovers from a concussion.