Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard sat out Friday’s training camp practice with an ankle injury sustained in practice on Thursday.
Howard did not suffer a serious injury, head coach Brian Flores said.
The cornerback has requested a trade, with multiple teams reportedly showing interest. An injury could derail a deal, but Howard insisted on Tuesday that he would comport himself professionally on and off the field.
Howard earlier this week released a statement on social media, saying he signed a five-year, $75.25 million contract extension in May 2019 “that I’ll admit I didn’t completely understand.”
“I’ve played on that deal for two seasons and didn’t complain, but everyone knows I completely outperformed that deal,” Howard said in a Twitter post. “I’m one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, and the tape backs up that claim. … Yet, I’m the second highest paid cornerback on my own team, and it’s not even close.”
Howard, 28, said he never asked for a new contract.
“We wanted to work things out with the Dolphins, and brought solutions to the table — like guaranteeing more money — that we felt were win-wins for both sides. … But the Dolphins refused everything we proposed. … I don’t feel valued or respected by the Dolphins. Just like they can take a business-first approach, so can I. That’s why I want to make it clear I’m not happy, and have requested a trade.”
Defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick pushed for a trade out of Miami in 2019, landing with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Fitzpatrick was dissatisfied with his role in the secondary with the Dolphins.
Howard led the NFL with 10 interceptions and 20 passes defended last season and added 51 tackles and one forced fumble in 16 games. He has 191 tackles, 22 interceptions and two forced fumbles in 56 career games (55 starts) since being selected by Miami in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
–Field Level Media