Elijah Campbell, a backup safety and the Dolphins’ top gunner on special teams, sustained what appeared to be a left knee injury making a tackle close to the goal line in the second quarter.
Campbell has been filling in as Miami’s starting strong safety since Ashtyn Davis sustained a low extremity injury to his left leg in camp’s first week, but the return of Ifeati Melifonwu, who began training camp on the non-football injury list, might ease the possible loss of Campbell. At least on defense.
Fortunately for the Dolphins safety happened to be a position where the Dolphins seemingly have some depth.
That was showcased on Sunday when second-year safety Patrick McMorris pulled down a second-quarter interception on a pass intended for Bears receiver Samori Toure that cornerback Ethan Bonner tipped on contact.
Morris ran the interception back 20 yards, setting the Dolphins offense up at midfield.
The Dolphins began Sunday’s game with three safeties — Campbell, Melifonwu and Minkah Fitzpatrick — on the field together. Melifonwu was playing center field while Campbell and Fitzpatrick worked closer to the line of scrimmage.
As for the gunner role on punt coverage, the Dolphins are working a bunch of safeties and cornerbacks.