Except for developing running back De’Von Achane’s knee injury, the Miami Dolphins have avoided any serious injuries during the season.
It may be quite devastating, especially this season, to have high expectations and then have the season end due to an injury. That is all too real for me as a Bengals fan, but fortunately for Miami, they haven’t lost any significant players to injuries yet.
Key defensive tackle is on the injury report for the Dolphins
That is, up until possibly right now. Christian Wilkins, a standout defensive tackle, was listed as injured in his groin on Friday.
That might indicate a number of things, but it’s important to note that this defense’s star defender had his name appear on the injury report.
Honestly, it could be as easy as Wilkins having to sit out a few plays due to soreness after a teammate unintentionally bumped him in the groin. If this is all you’ve heard about Wilkins’ ailment, it could indicate that he has a serious muscle strain. Nevertheless, Wilkins will probably play well on Sunday against the Titans.
Miami’s defense will suffer greatly without Wilkins if this turns out to be a more serious injury. Wilkins has proven to be a superb three-technique, recording 25 tackles this season and getting to the quarterback 6.5 times. That may not sound all that impressive, but defensive tackles are generally thought to be worthless when it comes to tackles.
Their role is to clog holes, stuff double teams, and narrow running lanes, making it much easier for the linebackers to close space rather than to bring down the running back.
On the other hand, Miami’s opponents are the reason why they are once again facing a shortage of their top defensive lineman. When Derrick Henry breaks through the A-gap on Sunday, Miami will be attempting to stop perhaps the best running back in the NFL. When playing against Henry, defensive tackle is without a doubt the most crucial position on the field because of Henry’s greatest strength—his ability to accelerate—which makes it nearly hard to bring down without giving up at least four yards.
Wilkins, as was already indicated, would help close gaps and keep Henry from having a large area and lots of time to gain momentum.
The defenders usually meet Henry at or behind the line of scrimmage in every game where he has struggled. The linebacker will surely flatten the defender and gain the extra two yards from his body length if he meets him another yard or two from the line of scrimmage.
Wilkins should play, and this is all being discussed as a precaution. Miami will have to blitz the A and B games far more frequently during the game if Wilkins is sidelined in an attempt to use multiple players to accomplish what Wilkins can accomplish on his own.
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