Dolphins rule out four starters for Bengals game

If the Dolphins are going to beat the Bengals Thursday, they’re going to have to rely on the likes of Donald Butler, Dion Sims and Kenyan Drake to do so.

The Dolphins have ruled out four starters for the Bengals game: linebacker Koa Misi (neck), tight end Jordan Cameron (concussion), running back Arian Foster (hamstring) and center Mike Pouncey (hip).

And Pouncey’s backup, Anthony Steen, likely won’t play with an ankle injury. He’s listed as doubtful. If Steen misses the game as well, Kraig Urbik would start for the first time as a Dolphin.

Butler is set to start at strong-side linebacker for Misi; Sims is the logical choice at tight end; and Drake started a week ago for Foster, so there’s no reason to believe he won’t again.

Meanwhile, 10 Dolphins are questionable for Thursday: Sims (ankle), tackle Branden Albert (ankle), linebacker Kiko Alonso (hamstring), Jerome Bushrod (non-injury related), corner Xavien Howard (quad), defensive end Jason Jones (ankle), safety Reshad Jones (knee), wide receiver Jarvis Landry (shoulder), wide receiver DeVante Parker (hamstring) and linebacker Spencer Paysinger.

For the Bengals, tight end Tyler Eifert (ankle) and corner Dre Kirkpatrick (hamstring) are doubtful to play. Jelani Jenkins is doubtful with a groin injury.

▪ The Dolphins waived wide receiver Justin Hunter Wednesday.

This story was originally published September 28, 2016 at 4:49 PM with the headline "Dolphins rule out four starters for Bengals game."