Dolphins’ Raekwon Davis working to ‘shake the rust off’ after missing three games
Raekwon Davis wasn’t trying to do too much. The Miami Dolphins’ defensive lineman hadn’t played in three weeks, sidelined by a knee injury in Week 1.
“Just trying to get back in that rhythm,” Davis said. “Shake the rust off.”
The second-year pro started and recorded four tackles, but the Dolphins’ defense struggled overall in a 45-17 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
The Dolphins gave up 558 yards on Sunday, tied for the eighth-most in a game in franchise history and the second most in a game with Brian Flores as head coach (Miami allowed 643 yards against the Ravens on Sept. 8, 2019).
The Dolphins are now 1-4 and have lost four consecutive games, something Davis said he can’t remember experiencing during his playing career at any level. He only lost five games total during his four years of college with the Alabama Crimson Tide.
What needs to be fixed, from Davis’ perspective?
“Bring everyone together,” Davis said. “Get everybody on the same board, the same mission.”
Parker out, others step up
Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker, who entered Sunday listed as questionable, was inactive against the Buccaneers while dealing with shoulder and hamstring injuries. The hamstring injury appeared on the injury report late in the week.
It was Parker’s first missed game of the season. He has now missed at least one game in seven of his eight NFL seasons. Earlier in the week, Parker said the coaches had spoken to him about getting him the ball earlier and more often. He has 17 catches this season for a team-high 242 yards, along with one touchdown.
With Will Fuller on injured reserve with a broken finger, Dolphins quarterback Jacoby Brissett spread the ball around to a bevy of targets.
Nine Dolphins players caught at least one pass on Sunday, with running back Myles Gaskin leading the way with 10 catches, 74 yards and two touchdowns.
Preston Williams caught three passes for 60 yards, with two catches and 55 yards coming on the opening drive. Tight end Mike Gesicki caught four of seven targets for 43 yards. Jaylen Waddle, Durham Smythe, Salvon Ahmed and Adam Shaheen each had two catches. Mack Hollins and Isaiah Ford each caught one pass.
“We put a lot of different guys in different positions,” Brissett said. “The effort was to find ways to get everyone involved and I thought we did that at times.”
Other inactives
The Dolphins also deactivated cornerbacks Trill Williams and Noah Igbinoghene, offensive tackle Greg Little, tight end Hunter Long and defensive lineman John Jenkins.
Buccaneers starting defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, starting cornerback Jamel Dean and backup running back Giovanni Bernard, who were listed as questionable, are active. Starting safety Antoine Winfield Jr., also listed as questionable, is inactive.
Tampa Bay also deactivated tight end Rob Gronkowski (ribs), wide receiver Jaelon Darden, quarterback Kyle Trask, running back Ke’Shawn Baughn, guard Nick Leverett and defensive lineman Patrick O’Connor (calf).
This and that
▪ Co-offensive coordinator George Godsey called the plays directly to Brissett on Sunday. Previously this season, quarterbacks coach Charlie Frye has served as the middleman between the coordinators and the quarterback in relaying the plays.
“It was no different,” Brissett said. “The only thing was it was George on the head set. That was about it. It was the same type of communication that we’ve had all year.”
▪ Waddle handled both kickoff and punt return duties after the Dolphins traded Jakeem Grant to the Chicago Bears.
▪ Rookie outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips and Jerome Baker both recorded sacks on Tom Brady.
This story was originally published October 10, 2021 at 11:04 AM.
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