Dolphins elevate wide receiver for game vs. Bills but no defensive backs despite injuries
The Dolphins have elevated wide receiver Braylon Sanders for Saturday night’s road game against the Buffalo Bills, the rookie’s second call-up this season.
Sanders, who signed with the team as an undrafted free agent in March, has recorded two catches for 17 yards this season, all in Miami’s Week 8 win over the Detroit Lions. He gives the Dolphins depth at wideout with River Cracraft out because of a calf injury.
The Dolphins elected not to elevate any defensive backs, despite safeties Eric Rowe (hamstring) and Elijah Campbell (concussion) being ruled out. They may not need extra players in the secondary, though. The forecast at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, projects for potential snow and wind, which could lead to a run-heavy game plan.
In addition to Rowe, Campbell and Cracraft, the following Dolphins players are inactive against the Bills: running back Jeff Wilson, wide receiver Erik Ezukanma and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.
Wilson, who is dealing with a hip injury sustained last week against the Los Angeles Chargers, is the big name among the group. In four games since He had rushed for 238 yards and two touchdowns on 44 carries in five games with the Dolphins since being acquired at the trade deadline from the San Francisco 49ers.
Without Wilson, the Dolphins will go with Raheem Mostert as the primary running back.
Miami also opted not to reinstate offensive lineman Liam Eichenberg from injured reserve.
The Bills’ list of inactive players for the game: cornerback Xavier Rhodes, linebacker Babylon Spector, tight end Tommy Sweeney, safety Dean Marlowe, offensive lineman Ryan Bates and defensive lineman Jordan Phillips.
Preparing for the cold
According to the NFL Network, the Dolphins brought seven trunks with 1,400 pounds of cold-weather gear, including scuba gear, thermal gear and snow boots.
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is also wearing hand warmers sewn into his jersey and players will have multiple cleats for optimal footing on the field.
The report also said the sideline heaters the Dolphins used at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California – temperatures were in the 50s – were given to the team because the Chargers requested them, so Miami had to be provided them, too, by league rules.
By late Saturday, the lake effect had dropped several inches of snow in Orchard Park, but the Bills’ groundscrew was able to clear the field of snow by kickoff.
This story was originally published December 17, 2022 at 4:20 PM.
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