The Miami Dolphins are with out defensive finish Emmanuel Ogbah and cornerbacks Kader Kohou and Keion Crossen, however most gamers that entered Sunday evening’s sport in opposition to the Pittsburgh Steelers questionable can be found.
That consists of All-Pro cornerback Xavien Howard (groin), left deal with Terron Armstead (toe), large receiver Jaylen Waddle (shoulder), defensive deal with Christian Wilkins (hand), tight finish Durham Smythe (hamstring) and proper deal with Greg Little (Achilles).
Ogbah (again), Kohou (indirect) and Crossen (knee) have been seen early on the sector pregame out of uniform doing stretches and lightweight train. Crossen was uncertain going into the sport.
Without Kohou and Crossen, Miami goes deep into its cornerback rotation once more with Noah Igbinoghene and Justin Bethel elevated to extra vital roles, however the Dolphins prevented a catastrophic situation of stepping into with out Howard, who reappeared on the group’s damage report on Friday together with his lingering groin ailment. Miami already doesn’t have Byron Jones (PUP checklist) and Nik Needham, who’s on injured reserve as a result of an Achilles tear.
Armstead returns after lacking final week’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings, returning to his left deal with publish, which permits Little to return to proper deal with, the place he’s been beginning with Austin Jackson on injured reserve as a result of an ankle damage.
Other Dolphins inactives have been quarterback Skylar Thompson, large receiver Erik Ezukanma and working again Myles Gaskin. Thompson entered questionable with the reduce on his proper thumb, however he was probably certain to be inactive regardless with the group usually preserving two quarterbacks energetic.
Tua’s motivation
Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, in his NFL profession, has constantly mentioned he doesn’t take note of exterior criticism.
But forward of Sunday evening’s sport in opposition to the Pittsburgh Steelers, he confirmed a distinct aspect in an interview with NBC’s Maria Taylor.
“I take receipts,” Tagovailoa mentioned, utilizing the lately common phrase for preserving tabs on what others have mentioned. “I handle that internally now. Whatever I can use as fuel, whatever I think, ‘Oh, I can use this as fuel for myself,’ I will. If not, I won’t.”
Tagovailoa, in his third season out of Alabama and returning Sunday from a two-game absence as a result of a concussion, entered the 12 months probably the most polarizing figures within the NFL. He has his staunch group of supporters and devoted critics.
Tagovailoa, who mentioned he employed a psychological coach to cope with criticism, revealed he first began experiencing it when his Crimson Tide misplaced the nationwide championship sport to Clemson his sophomore season.
“When I was in college, it would definitely bother me,” mentioned Tagovailoa, who labeled that the time he started attempting to remain off social media.
“I had to find a way to where I was trying to strive for excellence and not perfection,” Tagovailoa mentioned. “Because then, for me, I knew I’d be mendacity to myself as a result of I used to be by no means going to be excellent and I used to be going to be chasing one thing that wasn’t going to be there for me.
“I know I’m going to make mistakes, but it’s always about knowing better and then doing better.”
Flores’ return
Tagovailoa himself hasn’t had many good issues to say about his expertise below the path of former Dolphins coach Brian Flores in his first two NFL seasons. But, as Flores returned to Miami on Sunday evening as a Steelers defensive assistant, a number of Dolphins gamers mentioned this previous week there are not any arduous emotions.
“It’s exciting, just to be able to see him in person,” security Brandon Jones mentioned. “I haven’t talked to him in a while, obviously, but I’m excited.”
“If I see him, I’ll say what’s up,” tight finish Mike Gesicki. “I don’t know if we’ll cross paths, but I’ve got no ill will or anything towards coach Flo.”
Right guard Robert Hunt additionally indicated he wish to greet him.
Defensive deal with Christian Wilkins felt it wouldn’t affect the sport.
“It’s just business as usual,” Wilkins mentioned. “We’re preparing to play the Steelers and obviously there’s history there with Flo and everything, but we’re just preparing business as usual getting ready for the Steelers.”
Flores’ simple fashion was sufficient to possibly typically rub gamers the improper method, however others appreciated it.
“One thing I’ll say about coach Flo was he always honest,” linebacker Jerome Baker mentioned. “That was the one thing that never changed. He didn’t care if he hurt your feelings. He didn’t care if it got under your skin a little bit. You knew the guy just wanted to be honest and he was going to tell you the truth, and he wanted the best out of you.”
Gesicki described Flores as “super disciplined.”
Flores, who named the Dolphins in a class-action lawsuit in opposition to the NFL after his firing in January, advised ESPN this previous week he doesn’t view Sunday as any form of revenge sport for him.
This story shall be up to date.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com
