Dolphins defender explains challenges of playing after no practice due to COVID-19 protocols
It was an unorthodox week of preparation for Miami Dolphins safety Brandon Jones.
He landed on the NFL’s reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday and didn’t practice with the team all week. He was cleared to come off the list Saturday and flew up to Nashville separately from the team for their game against the Tennessee Titans.
And then he suited up, started and recorded five tackles in Miami’s 34-3 loss at Nissan Stadium.
“It’s a little challenging for me just because I’m really big on the physical reps, getting in practice and just being able to have an overall routine,” said Jones, who noted he was feeling “a little under the weather” early in the week but had no symptoms by Wednesday. “Kind of messed me up a little bit, but I just had to do more mentally when it came to watching film, asking my coaches any questions if I had any and understanding the playbook. Just kind of took it day-to-day and didn’t know the the actual plan for today, but got some playing time and it was good to be out there.”
Jones was one of two players the Dolphins activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list on Saturday — the other being defensive lineman Adam Butler, who recorded a tackle.
Jones has started 12 games this season and now has 71 tackles and five sacks on the season. He recorded an interception in the Miami’s Monday night win over the New Orleans Saints. Butler, a rotational piece on the defensive line, has played at least 20 defensive snaps in each game.
While the Dolphins had Jones and Butler in the lineup, they were still without four active-roster players because of coronavirus protocols: wide receiver Preston Williams, defensive lineman John Jenkins and defensive backs Sheldrick Redwine and Noah Igbinoghene.
The Dolphins also made the following players inactive: defensive back Trill Williams, running back Salvon Ahmed, linebackers Darius Hodge and Vince Biegel, offensive lineman Cameron Tom and rookie tight end Hunter Long.
For the Titans, starting wide receiver Julio Jones and starting linebacker Jayon Brown remain on the reserve/COVID-19 list and did not play. Reserve offensive lineman Kendall Lamm was also out because of coronavirus protocols.
This and that
▪ Two potentially game-changing calls in the second half didn’t go in Miami’s favor.
In the third quarter, it appeared Christian Wilkins forced a fumble on a D’Onta Foreman carry up the middle that Emmanuel Ogbah recovered but the Titans retained possession.
And on a fourth-and-11 early in the fourth quarter, with the Dolphins within 14 points, a Tua Tagovailoa pass to DeVante Parker fell incomplete although Parker argued for a defensive pass interference call. He didn’t get that, but he was handed an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
Coach Brian Flores was mum about both calls, essentially deferring it being the referee’s decision in both instances.
▪ Solomon Kindley replaced Austin Jackson at left guard for one series early in the game.
“Austin just had to come out for a series,” Flores said. “Solomon obviously backs him up. He went back in when he was ready.”
▪ Tagovailoa on if weather and field conditions impacted him: “It played somewhat of a role but you’ve got to go out there and you got to execute the plays regardless of the conditions, regardless of what it is..”
This story was originally published January 2, 2022 at 9:51 AM.
