"Next man up" is not just a football cliche, it's what happens in games all the time.
That was the case on Thursday Night Football when a rash of Miami injuries thrusted Ethan Bonner into the spotlight as a cornerback.
But who is this new member of the defense and why is he trending amongst NFL fans?
Who is Ethan Bonner?
Ethan Bonner is a cornerback who signed with the Dolphins in 2023 as an undrafted free agent.
He played for five years at Stanford. In his fifth year with the team Bonner started 10 games, accruing 29 tackles and five pass breakups. He earned Stanford Defense Player of the Week in Week 7 against Notre Dame.
He has primarily been a backup in Miami with only two tackles for his professional career.
Dolphins CB Jason Marshall Jr. headed to locker room after injury to his hamstring. He's questionable to return. CB Jack Jones also got banged up.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) September 19, 2025
Ethan Bonner, 1st game this year back from injury, is next up for thin Miami CB room.
Fans on social media noticed Bonner's arrival coincided with a rare stop for the Dolphins on Thursday night. If players like Jack Jones and Jason Marshall Jr. have long-term injuries, Bonner could be more than a temporary fixture of the Miami secondary.
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