The Miami Dolphins have been simply getting more healthy general.
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and left deal with Terron Armstead have been again for the 16-10 Sunday night time win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. All-Pro cornerback Xavien Howard, in a second sport since lacking one as a consequence of accidents to his groins, is starting to seem like himself once more, locking up his aspect and never being challenged by Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett.
But as some return, others are taken away.
On Sunday night time, it was sturdy security Brandon Jones, falling to a left knee damage. He was down on the sphere for a couple of minutes earlier than being attended to within the staff’s medical tent on the sideline and finally escorted by trainers to the locker room. He was dominated out for the rest of the night time shortly thereafter.
The Dolphins await phrase on their main tackler (49, 11 greater than Jerome Baker’s 38 for second-most) on Monday as they head north for back-to-back street video games at NFC North groups, the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears, after bettering to 4-3 with the victory over Pittsburgh.
The Jones damage comes on a unit that’s already been overwhelmed down, the secondary. While simply getting Howard again, cornerbacks Kader Kohou and Keion Crossen missed Sunday’s sport. Byron Jones, a starter when wholesome, doesn’t have an imminent return in sight from the physically-unable-to-perform listing. Nik Needham, the nickel cornerback when all are wholesome was misplaced final week to an Achilles tear.
But by means of damage comes alternative for these decrease on the depth chart. It was solely due to such attrition that Noah Igbinoghene seals Sunday night time’s win with an interception, the primary of his three-year profession, with 18 seconds remaining. Or Justin Bethel, a profession particular groups ace, developing along with his first interception since 2017.
At Brandon Jones’ sturdy security spot within the second half Sunday, it was largely Clayton Fejedelem, one other participant on the roster primarily for particular groups contributions, plus undrafted rookie and practice-squad elevation Verone McKinley and veteran Eric Rowe, who already has his dime-package function. Fejedelem received 18 defensive snaps, Rowe 17 and McKinley 16 in opposition to the Steelers.
Fejedelem stepped up with 4 tackles and a cross deflection. Rowe had two tackles, and McKinley recorded one.
Who would’ve thought, when the season began, the Dolphins would have mixtures of Igbinoghene, Bethel, Fejedelem, McKinley and undrafted rookie defensive lineman Ben Stille on the sphere collectively for late stops in a prime-time win? Stille, taking part in 9 snaps Sunday, was elevated from the follow squad to assist cope with the absence of defensive finish Emmanuel Ogbah as a consequence of a again damage.
Ogbah, Kohou (indirect) and Crossen (knee) have been seen taking part in mild workout routines early pregame Sunday night whereas out of uniform. Their statuses may even be monitored all through the week, together with Jones. Overall, although, it was a welcome sight for the Dolphins to have Howard, Armstead, large receiver Jaylen Waddle, defensive deal with Christian Wilkins, tight finish Durham Smythe and deal with Greg Little obtainable when all entered questionable. Aside from Little, all six of these began Sunday.
Jones’ run help will probably be one of many key features of his sport that will probably be missed if he has to overlook prolonged time, in addition to his capability to blitz from the protection place. He already has two sacks in seven video games this season after accumulating 5 in 2021.
This story will probably be up to date.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com