Caleb Douglas Shows Promise in Dolphins Loss
The rookie receiver caught six of eight targets for 70 yards in Miami's Week 9 defeat to Detroit.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Football
Rookie wide receiver Caleb Douglas caught six of eight targets for 70 yards as the Miami Dolphins lost to the Detroit Lions in Week 9. Douglas also made a 20-yard first-quarter catch while high-pointing the ball, though he dropped a fourth-down pass late in the fourth quarter.
Why it matters
Douglas's production gives Miami a look at its young receiving depth in a game the team lost. The interception thrown to him by Malik Willis, which Willis attributed to a miscommunication, highlights the timing issues between the rookie and the quarterback.
Caleb Douglas caught six of eight targets for 70 yards in the Week 9 loss, including a 20-yard first-quarter gain. The single-game box score does not show how his target share or yardage compares with his earlier-season output or with teammates.
The players
Caleb Douglas
Rookie wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins who was the intended target on Malik Willis's interception in the Week 9 loss to Detroit.
Malik Willis
Quarterback for the Miami Dolphins who threw the interception to Douglas in the Week 9 loss to Detroit.
The details
Douglas high-pointed the ball on a 20-yard catch in the first quarter. Late in the fourth quarter he dropped a fourth-down pass, and Detroit ran out the clock after getting the ball back.
Timeline
Week 9: Miami loses to Detroit with Douglas catching six of eight targets for 70 yards.
Late in the fourth quarter: Douglas drops a fourth-down pass.
Season Trajectory
Douglas is expected to remain in the WR3 mix when Miami takes on the Colts, and his errors are not expected to cost him playing time going forward. The Week 9 loss to Detroit leaves the Dolphins' receiver rotation still taking shape around a rookie.
Douglas remains in Miami's WR3 mix heading into the matchup with the Colts, so fantasy managers tracking the rotation should expect continued targets. The interception and dropped fourth-down pass do not appear to threaten his playing time.
The takeaway
Douglas's six catches on eight targets show a rookie earning trust despite the mistakes, which is the signal to watch as Miami's receiver group develops. Fans tracking the rotation should note how quickly the offense works through the timing issues with Willis.
What happens next
Miami next faces the Colts, where Douglas is expected to remain in the WR3 mix.
Further reading
For more on the Dolphins' receiving corps, see Football coverage.
