The linebacker corps is the weak link on the Miami Dolphins defense.

That means there are opportunities, and rookie Jordan Tripp is doing his best to show he can be part of the solution to stabilizing the unit.

The Dolphins didn't address the position in the recent draft until the fifth round when they selected the former captain of the Montana defense. Tripp is already being touted as a value pick who will outperform his draft position.

During Thursday's practice, Tripp got extensive work with the first unit and also in the nickel package. Though projected more as an outside backer, he is also getting a look in the middle.

"It's a broad spectrum. The more knowledge you can bring to the game the more reliable you're going to be," Tripp said. "My comfort level is only getting better and better. I'm just taking advantage of the reps they give me and focus on making new mistakes, not the same ones again, and learning from those mistakes."

Facing the Dolphins' motion-intensive offense every day is challenging but helpful in the development process.

"When you go through three or four and maybe even five checks a snap, it's a mental gymnastics thing," Tripp said. "It's a physically demanding game, but at the same time it's very mentally taxing if you don't know what you're doing."

Tripp first gained notice in the scrimmage two weeks ago with a strip and 73-yard fumble return for a touchdown.

After the first unit got shredded on a 77-yard touchdown drive last week, the coaches are on the lookout for playmakers.

"We've been looking at a lot of different combinations, especially in our sub packages. That's one thing that we identified this week after the game that we wanted to kind of get a look at different combinations of guys," coach Joe Philbin said.

Quick recovery

RB Damien Williams, who was hurt near the end of Friday's game against Atlanta and initially appeared to have suffered a serious injury to his right leg, is not only back at full speed but continuing to impress.

Safety Louis Delmas likes to cheat up lose to the line, and Williams made him pay Thursday by sprinting past on a wheel route and taking a nice touch pass from Ryan Tannehill in stride for a long touchdown-sprint down the left sideline.

"At first I thought it was real serious. It hurt pretty bad," Williams said of leaving the game on a cart. "You know I can't sit out. You've got to fight through pain that you have. You got to get on the field, it's football. You're going to have nicks and bruises, but you've got to get out there and make plays."

The undrafted rookie out of Oklahoma has been one of the top surprises of camp, excelling on special teams and as a runner and receiver. He is making a strong case for a spot on the 53-man roster.

"I don't think I'm a surprise. I'm doing what I've always been doing," Williams said. "Me and [Orleans Darkwa] … he works hard just like I do and we're both undrafted. Somebody is going to get us if we're not here."

Camp observations

Mike Wallace beat CB Brent Grimes in 1-on-1 drills to grab a well-thrown pass from Ryan Tannehill that was in the air for 30-plus yards. But later in the full team session, Grimes got even in breaking up another deep throw down the middle. Wallace had a half-step, but that Tannehill toss was slightly underthrown. …

RB Knowshon Moreno is healthy and looking more comfortable in the offense. Philbin wouldn't commit to playing him Saturday at Tampa Bay, but said, "I like the attitude, work ethic, the chemistry so far." …

Kicker Caleb Sturgis, who missed the exhibition opener with a groin injury, appeared close to returning as he hit field goals from 30 to 44 yards with ease. Danny Hrapmann, who was signed last week to fill in, pulled a 40-yard attempt far to the left. …

Dan Marino, Keith Sims, Nat Moore, Jose Rose and Troy Drayton were among former Dolphins who got doused in the Ice Bucket Challenge to benefit ALS research, as did General Manager Dennis Hickey and CEO Tom Garfinkel.

Who's up

C Mike Pouncey is moving well and stepping up his work on the side, giving every indication that his rehab from hip surgery is progressing ahead of schedule. He said he is pushing to get into pads as soon as possible.

Who's down

Dion Jordan's inconsistency remains puzzling. He struggled Thursday against second-team tackle Nate Garner. A sack late in practice brought some redemption.

Quote of the day

"It [ticked] me off. I thought I had one … I just let it fall over my shoulder, but Grimes made a great play. I actually didn't think he was going to get there, but that is Grimes. He does it all the time." — Mike Wallace on just missing the long connection with Tannehill