The Dolphins began their practice week without their entire starting offensive line, All Pro receiver Tyreek Hill and Pro Bowl cornerback Xavien Howard.
That’s not ideal, with the Dallas Cowboys visiting Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday (4:25 p.m., Fox).
Left tackle Terron Armstead (knee/ankle), right tackle Austin Jackson (quadriceps) and right guard Robert Hunt (hamstring) remained sidelined on Wednesday.
Hunt could miss a fifth game overall this season, including a third in a row.
Center Connor Williams (ACL) and left guard Isaiah Wynn (quadriceps) are expected to miss the remainder of the season. Both are on injured reserve.
Armstead seems likely to play Sunday, but Jackson – who missed much of the second half of the Jets game – appears in question.
Coach Mike McDaniel said Jackson’s quad injury isn’t as serious as the one that forced Jaelan Phillips to miss three games in a four-game stretch earlier this season.
Bradley Chubb — in discussing a potential Jackson matchup against Dallas All Pro linebacker Micah Parsons — spoke in ways that suggest Jackson will play Sunday.
“I’m excited to see him go at it this weekend,” Chubb said of Jackson. “He knows the challenge that he’s got. He’s going to step up to it and I’m excited to see it.”
Fill-in center Liam Eichenberg continues to play through a calf injury.
After not practicing last week and missing the Jets game because of an ankle injury, Hill remained sidelined on Wednesday.
But McDaniel has said he’s close to returning; CBS said during the Jets broadcast that Hill and the Dolphins are hopeful he will be able to play against Dallas.
McDaniel suggested nothing should be read into Hill missing Wednesday’s practice, calling it a matter of “us trying to make sure we have all cylinders go.”
Meanwhile, safety Jevon Holland, who has missed three games with a sprained MCL in both knees, isn’t yet ready to participate in a full practice. He was again limited on Wednesday.
Starting safety DeShon Elliott isn’t out of concussion protocol yet but “is participating in the process of getting cleared,” per McDaniel. He was a limited participant on Wednesday.
Howard missed practice after missing the Jets game. McDaniel has said he’s close to a return.
Running backs De’Von Achane (who played through a toe injury against the Jets) and Raheem Mostert (who often misses Wednesday practice) also didn’t participate in Wednesday’s practice. Mostest’s absence was explained as ankle/knee/veteran’s rest.
Besides Holland and Elliott, seven other Dolphins were limited on Wednesday: Eichenberg, Kader Kohou (hip), Emmanuel Ogbah (hamstring), Jalen Ramsey (veteran’s rest), Cam Smith (hamstring), Durham Smythe (ankle) and Andrew Van Ginkel (oblique/nose).
Several key Cowboys players did not practice because of injuries: cornerback Stephon Gilmore, defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, guard Zack Martin and tackle Tyron Smith.
SUH VISITS
Ndamukong Suh, a five-time Pro Bowler and a member of the NFL’s 2010 All-Decade team, visited with the Dolphins on Wednesday, according to the league’s transaction wire. NFL Network said there’s no imminent signing.
The 36-year-old Suh, who hasn’t played in the league this year, had 10 tackles and a sack in eight games and 176 defensive snaps for the Philadelphia Eagles last season.
Suh’s last heavy workload came in 2021, when he started 17 games for Tampa Bay and had 27 tackles and six sacks.
In March 2015, the Dolphins signed Suh to a six-year, $114 million contract with $60 million guaranteed, making him the highest paid defensive player in NFL history. He had 181 tackles and 15.5 sacks in three seasons with the Dolphins before being released in a salary-cap fueled decision.
Suh has 600 tackles, 71.5 sacks and five forced fumbles in 199 games over 13 seasons. He has earned $168 million in his NFL career.
The Dolphins have one backup defensive tackle on their 53-man roster (Da’Shawn Hand) and three on their practice squad (Justin Ellis, Byron Cowart and rookie Brandon Pili).
CHUBB HONORED
Linebacker Bradley Chubb won AFC Defensive Player of the Week for the first time in his career.
Chubb recorded a team-high seven tackles, 3.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, two tackles for loss and three quarterback hits in Miami’s win
After nearly missing three sacks against Tennessee, Chubb said he “emphasized finishing” last week.
This is the first time the Dolphins have had five different Player of the Week award winners in a single regular season. Tua Tagovailoa, Achane, Mostert and Jalen Ramsey won it previously this season.
INGOLD’S GESTURE
When Raheem Mostert spiked the ball after breaking single-season franchise records for touchdowns and rushing touchdowns in a season, fullback Alec Ingold sprung into action, retrieving the ball for his teammate.
“I knew the emotions would be high for him,” Ingold said. “Obviously setting history is a big deal. I probably ran over like four people trying to get that ball. I was on a full sprint. I didn’t get to celebrate with the guys but I wanted to make sure that he had that one.”
That touchdown was Mostert’s 17th rushing TD of the year – breaking Ricky Williams’ franchise single season record and his 19th overall touchdown, breaking Mark Clayton’s single season record. Mostert ran for another touchdown later in the game.
Christine Lake is a sports fanatic who lives and breathes athletics. With an extensive background in sports journalism, he covers everything from major league championships to grassroots sports events. When she’s not on the field or at the stadium, you’ll find Christine coaching youth sports teams.
