In the NFL injuries create opportunity for young players to impress.
The calf injury that will likely sideline De’Von Achane for the rest of training camp has created a window for Miami Dolphins tailbacks to showcase themselves.
Unfortunately, none of the backups stepped forward, seizing the opportunity with a solid performance in Wednesday’s practice.
Jaylen Wright, who has averaged 1.5 yards per carry in the preseason, only had one solid run, and struggled in pass protection.
And Ollie Gordon II, who averaged 4.6 yards per carry in the preseason, fumbled a quarterback-to-center exchange, and dropped a pass during 11-on-11 drills.
The Dolphins have four tailback on the training camp roster, which includes Mike Boone and Aaron Shampklin, two tailbacks who joined the team last week.
At this point it’s likely that the Dolphins will rummage through the waiver wire to find viable practice squad options unless Boone or Shampklin impress in Saturday’s final preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Top Performers
▪ Edge rusher Jaelan Phillips, who is working his way back from a leg injury, was incredibly disruptive in his snaps on Wednesday. There was one series where Phillip lit Jaylen Wright up on a blitz in the backfield, rushing a Tua Tagovailoa throw. The next play he pressured Tagovailoa again, getting past Larry Borom with ease.
▪ Safety Ejijah Campbell, who is firmly entrenched as Miami’s fourth safety and the Dolphins’ top gunner on special teams, pulled down an interception on Wilson’s pass. Campbell also had a tackle at the line of scrimmage on a Ollie Gordon II goal line run.
▪ Quarterback Quinn Ewers threw a 50 yards competition to rookie receiver A.J. Henning after evading pressure.
STOCK UP
▪ Matt Judon was a force on the Dolphins defense in his first practice with the team. He set the edge of the defense so effectively, contributing to the minimal rushing performance the Dolphins had Wednesday. And he also was credited with two would-be sacks on Zach Wilson.
STOCK DOWN
▪ Tua Tagovailoa is usually as steady as it gets as a practice performer, but Wednesday’s practice was unusually bad for the five-year starter. Tagovailoa took unnecessary would-be sacks, operating the offense at a slow rate, and more than a handful of passes were so off target we have to wonder if the pass was thrown away. He also threw his fourth interception of training camp on a pass Jack Jones deflected that an unidentifiable Dolphins cornerback pulled down.
INJURY UPDATE
Offensive tackle Austin Jackson was spotted with a boot on his left foot, which explains why he hasn’t practiced in three weeks after having his foot stepped on during a practice.
Defensive lineman Zeek Biggers seemingly injured his right arm during an early practice period, but continued working.
Center Andrew Meyer had a brace on his left arm and was spotted working with a trainer.
Offensive guard Addison West had a brace on his left arm and was spotted working with a trainer.
Offensive lineman Kion Smith, who is working his way back from a season-ending knee injury he suffered last August, sparingly worked during Wednesday’s practice and left early while accompanied by a trainer.
Cornerback Ethan Bonner, who suffered a hamstring injury, is sidelined for a couple of days, if not weeks.
Receiver Tyreek Hill (oblique) worked on the side with trainers.He’s not expected to practice this week.
Cornerback Kendall Sheffield is sidelined by an undisclosed injury he’s been nursing for a couple days.
Tailback De’Von Achane (calf) worked on the side with trainers. He’s not expected to practice this week.
Pass rusher Mohamed Kamara and fullback Alec Ingold, two players who are in the concussion protocol, were out of their red jerseys, which means they are likely out of the protocol.
What they said
“Ya’ll seen the tape. He cooked me man,” Dolphins cornerback Jack Jones on his battle with Amon-Ra St. Brown in Detroit, which the Lions turned into a minute long highlight reel for the Pro Bowl receiver. “I got better from that and I’m learning a technique I’m not used to doing. He made me better.”