Dolphins Suddenly Have A New Injury Concern At A Thin Spot

As the Miami Dolphins prepare for their matchup against the Patriots, their injury report reveals key player setbacks, including two concussions and a new concern for quarterback Malik Willis.

The Dolphins’ first injury report of the week came with a few familiar names, a couple of new problems and two concussion situations that could shape the lead-up to Week 8.

Miami had only two active-roster players sit out Wednesday’s practice before facing the New England Patriots: rookie guard Kadyn Proctor and cornerback JuJu Brents. Both are in the concussion protocol, and that always makes the timeline hard to read. Brents was out on the outside practice fields at the Baptist Health Training Complex doing conditioning work, which is at least a positive sign.

The report itself was a crowded one, with 13 players listed. The newest issue belongs to quarterback Malik Willis, who showed up with a groin injury. Willis has already appeared on the injury report earlier this season with toe and thumb problems, but he was a full participant Wednesday.

Edge defender Rob Beal Jr. was also a full participant after missing the last four games with a hamstring injury.

Eight players were listed as limited, including cornerback Reese Taylor, who has missed the last three games with a quad injury. Long-snapper Tucker Addington and tight end Will Kacmarek were also limited after showing up on last week’s report before playing in the 28-25 win over the New York Jets.

The other limited players were TE Greg Dulcich (ankle), S Michael Taaffe (neck/foot), S Dante Trader Jr. (shoulder), WR Malik Washington (knee) and WR Jared Wayne (knee). Only Trader had an injury reported in the press box Sunday, so the others may have picked up their issues in practice.

Head coach Jeff Hafley announced the concussion updates before practice and then took questions from reporters. He also said backup Jarrett Kingston would work at left guard in place of Proctor. Kingston already stepped in at right guard for Jonah Savaiinaea after the 2025 second-round pick was injured in the first half of the Week 5 loss at Hard Rock Stadium.

Kingston is the No. 3 guard on the roster after being claimed off waivers from the Houston Texans following final cuts to 53.

If Brents can’t go against New England, Jason Marshall Jr. would fill his spot in a standard four-defensive-back look, while Jaylin Simpson would likely handle the outside role opposite Marshall when Miami slides rookie Chris Johnson into the slot in nickel packages.

New England’s injury report was almost as long, with 12 names, but every Patriots player was able to practice. The biggest names on that list were wide receiver A.J. Brown, who is dealing with an ankle injury, and starting right tackle Morgan Moses, who is dealing with a foot issue.

Quarterback Drake Maye was also listed with a right shoulder injury, but he was a full participant.

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