Dolphins release Friday injury report, CB Kendall Fuller out against Patriots

The Miami Dolphins Friday injury report listed veteran cornerback Kendall Fuller as out heading into their matchup with the New England Patriots. Head coach Mike McDaniel confirmed to South Florida media that he is still in concussion protocol saying, “Yeah, he’ll be out.” Fuller was concussed two games ago in Miami’s Monday Night Football win in Los Angeles against the Rams. He then missed last week’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Miami will be without him against the Patriots, who are the NFL’s 32nd ranked passing offense. Fuller, in his first year in Miami, has started eight games for the Dolphins. He has 23 tackles and five passes defended on the season. Rookie Storm Duck played 55% of the defensive snaps last week, and should see more action against the Patriots in Fuller’s absence. When asked if Duck earned this role over second year defensive back Cam Smith, McDaniel explained to reporters earlier in the week, “A little assignment related, matchup related that week, yes.”

McDaniel elaborated, “There’s no crowning of – it wouldn’t be factual to say one of those guys is over the other. We’ll see what they do with the situation and the opportunity. It was very specific and that one is a great example.” He added, “I’m really happy with, especially in the last month, the development of Cam. So it renders one to think that we might be down on him because Storm played, (but) that was because what Storm was doing and the assignments and kind of our game plan for that particular opponent.”

Fullback Alec Ingold is listed as questionable, who has missed the last two games with a calf injury. McDaniel seemed confident on Friday in Ingold’s Sunday availability saying, “I’m feeling as optimistic as I’ve felt in the last three weeks, but that will be subject to setbacks or just how I feel, so it’s an important day for him.” Ingold is a vital cog in Miami’s offensive attack with his blocking as well as timely versatility and usage as a runner and receiver. Also questionable for Miami as per Friday’s report are left tackle Terron Armstead (knee), safety Patrick McMorris (Calf) and offensive lineman Isaiah Wynn.

The Patriots are dealing with a slew of questionable players who were limited in Friday’s practice, and have already designated defensive tackle Jaquelin Roy out with a neck injury. Defensive tackle Christian Barmore did not participate Friday, and listed as questionable for Sunday.