Kadyn Proctor’s return to practice is the biggest positive development for the Dolphins heading into Week 9, but Miami still isn’t ready to say the rookie first-rounder will be out there against the Lions.
Proctor missed last week after entering concussion protocol, then got back on the field Wednesday. That’s a step in the right direction for a Dolphins offense that is staring at its toughest single-game test of the season, at least on the defensive side of the ball. Miami’s offensive line being at full strength would matter plenty here, because the Lions bring a pass rush that can change the whole feel of a game.
“He is in the protocol, but he will practice today,” Hafley said. “So he is progressing in the protocol.”
That doesn’t amount to clearance yet, so there’s still some caution baked into the picture. If Proctor can’t go, Jarrett Kingston would be in line for his second start after handling his first NFL start last week. Kingston got off to a slow start in that game, but he settled in well enough to earn some trust if Miami needs him again.
The challenge doesn’t stop at the edge. Detroit’s run defense is strong, which puts even more weight on Miami finding some kind of ground game to keep the offense on schedule. Without that balance, the Dolphins would be asking a lot against the Lions’ power rushers.
Aidan Hutchinson is the name that jumps off the page. He’s the Lions’ top threat off the edge and keeps moving closer to the league’s elite at the position. The matchup likely sends him at Austin Jackson on the right side, and power rushers have already had success against Jackson this season.
Miami is widely expected to lose, and not by a little. That kind of outside expectation can sometimes loosen a team up, though, and the Dolphins could use that to their advantage if they play without the burden of trying to force everything. It’s a nice thought, at least.
There’s also a bigger line-of-scrimmage question hanging over the Dolphins. Proctor and Patrick Paul have both been very good this year, and some are wondering whether Miami should simply keep them together while both are available. For now, the expectation is that Proctor eventually moves to right tackle after this season.
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Jeff Hafley, in his first professional year as the defensive coach, is already dealing with the sort of questions that come with uneven week-to-week results. The defense has looked better in the second and fourth quarters, but the rough patches in the first and third have put a spotlight on preparation and in-game adjustments, two areas the Dolphins need to tighten up if they want the group to stop feeling so vulnerable at key moments. [Read more 🡒]