The Miami Dolphins got a small piece of good news in their final Week 9 injury report: nobody was ruled out for the matchup with the Detroit Lions at Hard Rock Stadium.
That doesn’t mean the roster will stay untouched. Quite the opposite. With three players listed as questionable, Miami may need to do some Saturday shuffling to get through the game.
Running backs Jaylen Wright and Kaytron Allen are both dealing with quad injuries, while defensive end Malik Herring is working through a neck issue after taking a stinger in the Week 8 loss to the New England Patriots.
The backfield situation is the most obvious place where Miami may need help. Wright and Allen are the two backups behind new starter Ollie Gordon II, with De’Von Achane on IR, so the Dolphins appear likely to elevate Carlos Washington Jr. as insurance.
Kicker is another spot that may force a move. The only kicker Miami currently has is on the practice squad, veteran Zane Gonzalez.
There’s also the edge rotation to consider. The Dolphins have used five edge defenders in every game, but if Herring can’t go, they’d be down to four: Chop Robinson, Josh Uche, Rodney McGraw and newcomer Jamree Kromah.
Max Llewellyn was elevated from the practice squad for the game against New England, but that was his third elevation. Because of that, Miami can’t use him again this season unless it signs him to the 53-man roster, something that looks like a real possibility since he’s still on the practice squad.
If Herring is unavailable, the other practice squad options are Amari Gaither and Eric Watts.
Gonzalez could also be signed to the 53, even after his bad field goal miss against New England. He’s already been elevated twice, so another elevation for the Detroit game would exhaust that eligibility.
Any of those roster moves, including practice squad elevations, have to be made by 4 p.m. ET on Saturday.
There is still a chance Miami gets away with only elevating Gonzalez if the three questionable players are cleared in time for the game.
One player who will be back is Kadyn Proctor, who has gotten out of the concussion protocol and is set to return against the Lions.
Aside from the three questionable players, the only other Dolphin limited in Friday’s practice was long-snapper Tucker Addington, who is dealing with an ongoing shoulder issue.
Chop Robinson, Malik Washington and Zach Sieler, who all appeared on the injury report earlier in the week, are good to go.
Detroit’s biggest injury note was safety Brian Branch being cleared out of the concussion protocol, along with wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.
The Lions did have one new issue pop up: backup running back Sione Vaki did not practice Friday and was listed as questionable.
Detroit ruled out five players, including safety Kerby Joseph, who is on IR, and linebacker Jack Campbell, who suffered a serious neck injury against the Minnesota Vikings last Sunday. The others ruled out were center Cade Mays, cornerback D.J. Reed and edge DJ Wonnum.
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Dolphins Face A Brutal Lions Test With One Real Opening
The Dolphins head into Week 9 with a matchup that looks about as unforgiving as it gets, traveling to face a Lions team coached by former Miami interim head coach Dan Campbell. Detroit brings the leagues top overall offense into the game, while Miami is trying to steady a pass defense that has struggled all season, making this one of those tests where the margin for error feels razor thin.
There is at least one opening for Miami to watch, and it starts with the condition of Detroits defense. The Lions have been dealing with key injury questions in the secondary and at linebacker, which could shape how aggressive they can be against Miamis passing game. If the Dolphins are going to make this interesting, they will need to take advantage of those matchup concerns and avoid letting Detroit turn the game into a track meet. [Read more 🡒]
Kenneth Grants Early Struggles Are Becoming A Real Dolphins Concern
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The concern for the Dolphins is less about one quiet stretch than what it might mean if the early trend holds. Grant was brought in to help change the look of the defensive front, but the production has not matched the investment yet, and the evaluation is still unfolding as Miami looks for signs that his game is starting to catch up with his draft status. [Read more 🡒]
Dolphins Suddenly Face A Trade Deadline Decision On A Defensive Leader
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Brooks was supposed to be part of the solution, not part of a midseason sell-off, which is why the idea of moving him would carry real weight inside the building. The Dolphins have a clear future-minded incentive to consider offers, but dealing away a central voice on defense would also deepen the uncertainty around a team already staring at a difficult season. [Read more 🡒]