Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Bayron Matos was airlifted to a hospital Wednesday after suffering an injury during the final moments of the team’s first training camp session. Though the team confirmed Matos was transported in stable condition, they have not disclosed the nature of the injury.

The incident occurred late in practice, casting a somber tone over what had begun as an optimistic opening to the Dolphins’ preseason preparations. Teammates and coaches appeared visibly shaken as emergency medical staff responded quickly and called for an airlift.

“It’s a really heartbreaking part of the game,” said fellow offensive lineman Austin Jackson. “Very tough to see a teammate go down like that.”

Matos, 24, is a unique presence on the Dolphins roster. Born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, he is part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program — a league initiative that offers international athletes an opportunity to train and potentially compete in the NFL.

After going undrafted in 2024, Matos joined the Dolphins as a free agent and spent last season on the practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract with the team in January but has yet to appear in a regular-season NFL game.

Remarkably, Matos only began playing football in 2022 after walking on to the University of South Florida’s football team. Prior to that, he was a multi-sport athlete in basketball and baseball, with no football experience until his early 20s.

As the team awaits further updates on Matos’ condition, support from players and fans continues to pour in, highlighting the risks athletes face and the resilience required to pursue professional sports — especially for those like Matos, who took an unconventional path to the NFL.