The Miami Dolphins have had 4 consecutive video games the place a quarterback was damage, three straight the place a special starter can’t end.
They’ve had a number of cornerbacks miss time — with cornerback Nik Needham’s season coming to an finish with a torn Achilles on Sunday, in line with a league supply — two beginning tackles out and a bevy of different accidents.
And the Dolphins, with Sunday’s 24-16 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, dropped their third in a row within the midst of all of the well being issues.
But one factor coach Mike McDaniel doesn’t need is to suggest causation out of that correlation.
“I’m going to demand that the team does not point at that to be the reason for what’s happened or a reason for the loss,” McDaniel stated. “I feel that’s the simple factor to do. I feel that’s the trail of least resistance, and usually, the trail of least resistance, doesn’t lend to outcomes that formidable, convicted, all-in gamers, crew, group need.
“You can look at it as difficult. You can look at it as a reason for X, Y or Z. I challenge the guys not to. We have a lot of faith in all the guys we have on this team. … There’s always difficulties and adversity within NFL football games. I thought we had the capability to overcome that, and we didn’t.”
On Sunday, the Dolphins misplaced quarterback Skylar Thompson to a thumb harm on his throwing hand. As the crew’s third-stringer, he was beginning as a result of each quarterbacks forward of him, Tua Tagovailoa and Teddy Bridgewater, had been in concussion protocol till Saturday, unable to follow totally all through the week.
Last week on the New York Jets, it was Bridgewater dominated out resulting from concussion protocol as a result of a spotter witnessed an alleged stumble after his first offensive play. Bridgewater was taking part in as a result of Tagovailoa suffered a concussion in Miami’s Sept. 29 loss at Cincinnati.
“Of course, it’s not ideal,” McDaniel stated. “You want the guys that get all the reps during the week to play. You always know that’s a possibility.”
Needham had a cart come onto the sector to take him off and was shortly dominated out after his second-quarter Achilles harm.
“I know Nik was in pain,” stated McDaniel, who on the time didn’t but know if it was his Achilles or excessive ankle. “It felt real.”
Dolphins left sort out Terron Armstead was dominated out pregame after getting into Sunday questionable. Armstead, who has averaged greater than 5 video games missed over the previous six seasons, was inactive for the primary time since signing with the Dolphins within the offseason resulting from a toe harm that has lingered for the reason that opener in opposition to the New England Patriots.
Mostly taking part in via the ailment, he made an early exit in final week on the New York Jets after eight offensive performs. He didn’t journey again with the crew on Oct. 9 to see a foot specialist within the New York/New Jersey space earlier than returning to South Florida.
The Dolphins additionally didn’t have proper sort out Austin Jackson, who missed a fifth consecutive recreation on injured reserve together with his ankle harm. Without Armstead or Jackson at New York, Miami used Greg Little at proper sort out and Brandon Shell, a practice-squad elevation for a second straight recreation, at left sort out, however on Sunday, they had been flipped with Shell at proper sort out and Little at left sort out. Most of Little’s profession expertise is at left sort out, and Shell, earlier than final Sunday at MetLife Stadium, had solely performed proper sort out in his profession.
Tight finish Durham Smythe (hamstring) was out Sunday, however operating again Raheem Mostert, who additionally entered questionable with a knee harm, was accessible and receiving a bulk of Miami carries, ending with 49 yards on 14 dashing makes an attempt.
With Needham happening in-game, fellow cornerback Kader Kohou, who entered uncertain with an indirect ailment, was inactive. While Miami was minus Kohou, the undrafted rookie that has seen vital taking part in time and three begins to date, it acquired All-Pro Xavien Howard again after he missed the loss to the Jets. This all comes with Byron Jones nonetheless on the physically-unable-to-perform record for decrease left leg surgical procedure within the offseason.
Another cornerback, Keion Crossen, left the sport in opposition to the Vikings late within the first half with a knee harm.
“That definitely needs more information before I’m comfortable speaking on that,” McDaniel stated.
Like Crossen, edge defender Trey Flowers (foot) was dominated out at halftime.
Defensive finish Emmanuel Ogbah had a again harm within the first half however returned within the second half. Star receiver Jaylen Waddle sustained an obvious shoulder harm late in Sunday’s loss, however he returned for the ultimate offensive performs.
“It’s one of those things that I’ve learned about Jaylen, that if there’s a will, there’s a way,” McDaniel stated. “He’s a tough kid, a real tough kid. He really didn’t give anyone an option, whether or not to be in there at the end.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com