Bengals safety Jordan Battle reveals tell in Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis mechanics

Cincinnati Bengals safety Jordan Battle publicly identified a physical tell in Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis' passing motion following practice on Thursday. CBS NFL, CBS Sports, and Yahoo Sports reported that Battle spotted a specific habit in Willis' mechanics ahead of their upcoming Week 5 game in Miami. Battle said Willis tends to tap the football or remove his hand prior to releasing a throw, giving defensive backs an early signal to break on the ball. [1][2][4][8][9]

According to Yahoo Sports reporting, Willis acknowledged that his performance has not been good enough as the Dolphins start the season with a 0-4 record. Battle, a safety for the Bengals, played college football for Alabama before joining the NFL. Willis joined the Miami Dolphins in 2026 after previously playing college football for Auburn and Liberty, and starting his NFL career with the Tennessee Titans and Green Bay Packers. [2][3][4][13][14]

The revelation gives the Cincinnati defense an explicit key to study on film as they prepare to visit Miami. CBS NFL and Yahoo Sports reported that the Bengals hope to capitalize on the observation to jump route combinations during the contest. The Dolphins host the Bengals in Week 5 as both teams look to adjust their defensive and offensive strategies. [1][2][4][7]