The Miami Dolphins listed 15 players on Wednesday’s injury report, including six who didn’t participate in practice ahead of Week 15 against the Houston Texans: Left tackle Terron Armstead (knee), wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (personal), defensive tackle Calais Campbell (rest), wide receive Dee Eskridge (knee), tackle Kendall Lamm (back), and safety Jordan Poyer (knee).
Long snapper Blake Ferguson (non-football illness) and linebacker Anthony Walker (hamstring) practiced in full to begin the week while linebacker Bradley Chubb (knee), wide receiver Grant DuBose (shoulder), linebacker Cameron Goode (knee), wide receiver Tyreek Hill (wrist), fullback Alec Ingold (ankle), running back Raheem Mostert (hip), and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (hamstring) were limited.
Coach Mike McDaniel said his roster is banged up, but nothing unexpected after 13 games.
“We have some bumps and bruises,” McDaniel said Wednesday. “There are some guys that we’ll be downshifting our tempo some portion of the practice that if we didn’t might not be able to go, but we still have a lot of time and fortunately there wasn’t any of those injuries you hate to see.
“We feel more bruises than injuries I think at this point, and I have some optimism for several guys that are working through stuff, so no news is good news.”
What’s next for Terron Armstead?
Miami’s starting left tackle hadn’t practiced since Week 10 and played only five snaps on Sunday before rookie Patrick Paul stepped in against the New York Jets. It’s unclear if Armstead will be available Sunday, but surgery isn’t on the table.
“It’s a rest thing,” McDaniel said Monday. “I think you might have seen his frustration level to try to contribute in this particular game and it’s something that he can’t control, so you talk to him about – I’ve been very proud of how he’s handled all of it because he’s probably at a new level of maturity to handle these types of things based upon his necessity.
“I think we’ll let it cool down a little bit and what that means for time moving forward, I’m going to make sure that my communication is steadfast with him, and we’ll play out all the scenarios with our group.”
Armstead started 12 of Miami’s 13 games this season and has been beaten for just one sack for just one sack across 657 offensive snaps. According to PFF, Paul played 67 snaps against the Jets and allowed only two pressures.
Is this the week we see Bradley Chubb, Cameron Goode, and Blake Furgeron?
Chubb or Goode practiced for the first time in Week 14 after suffering season-ending injuries late last year. While both were again limited on Wednesday, McDaniel believes Chubb, Goode, and Furgerson are trending closer to being activated to the 53-man roster.
“I’m excited for their work week,” McDaniel said. “I think this week represents 100% increase in what they’ve done thus far, so I think that’s exciting just in general.
“For me, I’m just waiting to see the signs of guys that are unable to tolerate not playing in the games anymore and that they’re ready, so some good week of opportunity and observation really to get those guys jumping back in, but we won’t get ahead of ourselves.”
Grant DuBose designated to return from IR; Dolphins can activate one more player off IR
DuBose spent the summer with the Green Bay Packers but was released on Aug. 27. Miami claimed him off waivers the following day and he played 39 snaps before suffering a shoulder injury in Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills.
Miami activated six players from injured reserve and Dubose will be seven. With teams able to activate eight players off injured reserve, the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson suggested linebacker Tyus Bowser and cornerback Cam Smith as options for the final spot.