The Miami Dolphins’ final injury report for Week 15 turned out to be their longest of the season following their first normal practice of the week.
The good news is that only safety DeShon Elliott and guard Robert Hunt were declared ineligible for the Hard Rock Stadium game against the New York Jets, as head coach Mike McDaniel had stated before to practice.
The bad news is that a season-high 11 players have been designated as game-status on the injury report.
Except for Tyreek Hill, the wide receiver who is dealing with a debilitating ankle ailment, everyone else was labeled as questionable and limited at practice on Friday, with the exception of Hunt and Elliott.
In addition to Hill, the following players were listed as questionable: OL Liam Eichenberg (calf), S Jevon Holland (knees), RB Chris Brooks (knee), RB De’Von Achane (toe), T Terron Armstead (knee/ankle), LB Andrew Van Ginkel (oblique), and CB Xavien Howard (hip).
Recall that Brooks is now on injured reserve. The Dolphins have until early next week to decide whether to promote the rookie running back to the 53-man roster, which would require a corresponding move, or to keep him on injured reserve for the balance of the season.
Holland and Armstead did not participate in the Monday night game against the Tennessee Titans.
Elliott’s absence means that Brandon Jones will likely start at safety. If Holland is forced to miss a third straight game, Elijah Campbell or possibly Nik Needham would likely start at that position.
Emmanuel Ogbah might have made more sense as Van Ginkel’s replacement at outside linebacker, but recently signed veteran Jason Pierre-Paul might have received more playing time.
There are a lot of combinations on the offensive line depending on who plays or doesn’t, with rookie Jonotthan Harrison being the most sensible choice in the event that Eichenberg is sidelined and Connor Williams being placed on injured reserve this week.
Two other players were also ruled out by the Jets, including quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who is still recovering from an Achilles injury sustained in Week 1.
WR Jason Brownless was also declared out, and OL Carter Warren was labeled as questionable following his absence from practice on Friday.
There were five more Jets players on the doubtful list: RB OL Max Mitchell (neck), DL Will McDonald IV (knee), DL John Franklin-Myers (ankle), and OL Joe Tipmann (shoulder) are among the players injured.
On Friday, Bawden, Franklin-Myers, and Tippman participated fully in practice; Mitchell just partially participated, and McDonald did not participate.
Billy Turner, a former third-round selection of the Dolphins, would be the favorite to start at right tackle for the Jets if Mitchell is unable to play.
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