Dolphins face more injuries after Sunday’s loss to the Eagles; Claypool makes team debut
The Dolphins entered Week 7 with multiple injuries to key players and were hit with additional injuries in their 31-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night.
Inside linebacker David Long Jr. was evaluated for a concussion after an incidental helmet-to-helmet collision with safety Jevon Holland in the third quarter.
Holland was also evaluated for a concussion and was cleared, re-entering the game on the same drive, which ended in a 14-yard touchdown reception by wide receiver A.J. Brown that gave the Eagles a 24-17 lead.
Long did not re-enter the game, and coach Mike McDaniel did not have an update on Long’s status afterward.
Left guard Isaiah Wynn also left the game after sustaining a quad injury on the opening drive and did not return. Lester Cotton entered the game for Wynn and was flagged for a holding penalty on the second drive that negated a touchdown pass from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to wide receiver Tyreek Hill. Miami settled for a field goal to tie the score 3-3 after the infraction.
Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle also briefly left the game after injuring his back in the second quarter. Waddle was seen walking gingerly to the locker room with heating pads on his back. He re-entered the game in the third quarter and finished with six catches for 63 yards.
The Dolphins were already playing without a pair of starters in the prime-time matchup.
Cornerback Xavien Howard and center Connor Williams, who were listed as questionable to play because of groin injuries, were inactive.
It’s the first missed game of the season for Howard, who sustained the injury against the Carolina Panthers in Week 6. Howard had told reporters that he would play but was ruled out after going through a pregame workout with a trainer.
“Sometimes competitors can be short-sighted in their scope,” McDaniel said. “Whether or not, with that position, with that injury, it didn’t seem prudent to kind of press the envelope at this stage, knowing how important he is for the entirety of the season. He had a good week and he’ll be chomping in my ear next week, probably every day, because he definitely didn’t like watching the game in his street clothes for sure.”
Eli Apple and Kader Kohou started at cornerback in Miami’s base packages and Parry Nickerson was the slot corner in nickel packages.
With Williams sidelined, Liam Eichenberg made his second consecutive start at center and third this season. The Dolphins had issues with their presnap operation in a raucous environment and the offensive line struggled to block against the Eagles’ pass rush.
Fullback Alec Ingold, who was listed as questionable because of a foot injury, was also active.
Miami also made the following players inactive: wide receiver Robbie Chosen, quarterback Skylar Thompson (emergency QB), cornerback Kelvin Joseph and tight end Tyler Kroft.
Claypool makes debut
Wide receiver Chase Claypool, whom the Dolphins traded for on Oct. 6, made his team debut Sunday night and played multiple snaps on offense and special teams.
Claypool did not receive a touch on offense but registered a tackle on the opening kickoff.
McDaniel said the team had a package for Claypool, and he was supposed to play more but the game flow forced Miami to turn from its set of plays for him.
“With Waddle leaving the game, it’s more difficult to get a newer player involved that way,” McDaniel said, “unless it’s in his package of plays, which, like I said, we kind of digressed what we were planning on getting done. He’s doing a great job. He carved out a little role with us already. So, I’m hoping that expands as he gets the opportunities to play within our offense.”
