Dolphins without a top offensive lineman vs Vikings. And injuries pile up during game
The Miami Dolphins were without one of their top offensive linemen against the Minnesota Vikings.
Left tackle Terron Armstead is inactive on Sunday as he continues to deal with a nagging toe injury. He left last week’s loss to the New York Jets on the second offensive drive of the game and stayed back in New York to get further evaluation on the toe injury, which he has been dealing with since Week 1. Armstead did not practice all week.
Brandon Shell replaced Armstead last week and was elevated from the practice squad (along with Kion Smith) on Saturday. Shell started at right tackle on Sunday, with usual right tackle Greg Little starting at left tackle.
But the Dolphins’ injury woes picked up during the game. Cornerback Nik Needham, who started opposite Xavien Howard on Sunday, was carted off in the second quarter with a season-ending Achilles tear, a league source told the Miami Herald.
Cornerbacks Trey Flowers (foot) and Keion Crossen (knee), as well as defensive lineman Emmanuel Ogbah (back) also left the game with first-half injures.
And quarterback Skylar Thompson left early in the second quarter with a right thumb injury, putting Teddy Bridgewater back into a starting role.
The rest of the Dolphins’ inactives on Sunday: quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, running back Myles Gaskin, wide receiver Erik Ezukanma, cornerback Kader Kohou, defensive tackle John Jenkins and tight end Durham Smythe.
The Vikings’ inactives: safety Theo Jackson, offensive linemen Chris Reed and Vederian Lowe, defensive linemen Esezi Otomewo and Khyiris Tonga, and linebacker D.J. Wonnum.
This story was originally published October 16, 2022 at 11:38 AM.
