The Miami Dolphins got the better end of the Week 4 injury report, and the biggest break came in the form of who the Minnesota Vikings won’t have Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Minnesota ruled out three players, and the headliner is wide receiver Justin Jefferson. He didn’t practice all week, so his absence was expected, but it still changes the look of the matchup because he’s clearly the Vikings’ top offensive threat.
The Dolphins also ruled out three players, though their situation looks far healthier overall. The most important development for Miami is center Aaron Brewer, who is not carrying a game status designation at all. That matters because Brewer showed up as a limited participant Thursday with a hand injury before returning as a full participant Friday.
Miami’s list also includes Storm Duck, but he was never eligible to play against Minnesota anyway. Duck opened the season on the Reserve/PUP list and still needed at least one more game before he could return.
He did get back to practice Wednesday, which opened his three-week window, and he was limited Wednesday and Thursday before an Achilles issue was added to his knee injury. Even so, he finished Friday as a full participant, which points toward a return to the active roster soon.
The other two Dolphins ruled out are rookie wide receiver Caleb Douglas and edge defender Robert Beal Jr., both of whom were also out for last Sunday’s home opener against the Kansas City Chiefs.
That could leave Miami looking again to the practice squad for help on the edge. The Dolphins elevated Clelin Ferrell against Kansas City, and that makes it reasonable to expect rookie seventh-round pick Max Llewellyn could be elevated for a second time this season.
Running back is another spot where the Dolphins may need a move. De’Von Achane is on injured reserve after the left knee injury he suffered against Kansas City, and Miami currently has only Jaylen Wright and Ollie Gordon II on the active roster. That leaves the question of whether the team will go with Carlos Washington Jr. or Jarquez Hunter, whom Miami acquired in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams over the summer.
Chop Robinson was added to the injury report Friday because of a foot issue, but he was a full participant in practice and did not receive a game status designation.
The only Dolphins player listed as limited on Friday was long-snapper Tucker Addington, who is still dealing with the shoulder injury he picked up against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2.
Minnesota’s other two absences are cornerback Charles Demmings and punter Brett Thorson. With Thorson out, the Vikings will turn to veteran Johnny Hekker, who was waived but re-signed to the practice squad this week.
This will be the second time in four games this season that Miami faces an opponent without its best offensive player. The first came in the season opener, when the Las Vegas Raiders were missing tight end Brock Bowers.
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