Dolphins-Titans live blog: Jaelan Phillips ruled out with knee injury as Fins lose 31-12
The Miami Dolphins got a bit of good news ahead of Monday’s 31-12 loss to the Tennessee Titans
Tua Tagovailoa is reportedly symptom free and could be back as soon as his four-game mandated absence concludes, according to ESPN. That means Tagovailoa could potentially start the Dolphins’ Week 8 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals.
His potential return couldn’t come at a better time as backup Skylar Thompson has a rib injury that demoted him to the team’s emergency third QB and Tyler Huntley, who drew the start less than two weeks after being signed, threw for only 96 yards.
Dolphins finally score a touchdown:
Thank god for the hometown kid.
Dania Beach’s own Tyler Huntley scampered into the endzone from the 1-yard line for the Dolphins’ first touchdown since the first quarter of the Buffalo Bills game.
After a failed two-point conversion, the Dolphins are still down 22-12 as the fourth quarter winds down.
Jordan Poyer ruled out:
Poyer will not return against the Titans, according to the Dolphins.
The All-Pro safety suffered a shin injury. Veteran safety Marcus Maye, who has more than 70 starts under his belt, will now step in for Poyer.
Towards the end of the third quarter, Phillips limped off the field after suffering an apparent lower body injury.
Well, the Dolphins ruled him out with a knee injury.
This couldn’t come at a worse time. Not only are the Dolphins down 16-6, Phillips missed the latter chunk of 2023 with a torn Achilles. His recovery was rather quick — he began to practice around mid-August — yet Phillips’ latest injury is a terrible blow to team already without several stars.
TITANS LEAD DOLPHINS 9-3 AT HALFTIME:
Talk about an ugly half of football.
The Dolphins offense has only accumulated 85 yards, roughly half that of the Titans who have 152 yards.
Other key stats include:
▪ Tyreek Hill has more rushing yards (16) than he does receiving (3). He also has more targets (4) than he does receiving yards. Nearly every Titans receiver other than Tyjae Spears (one catch for -5 yards) has more yards than Hill as well.
▪ Despite not starting the game, Titans backup quarterback Mason Rudolph has more passing yards and completions than the Dolphins’ Tyler Huntley.
▪ The Dolphins run defense has improved greatly, limiting the Titans’ rushing attack to just 17 carries for 48 yards.
Anthony Walker Jr. injured:
What a blow to an already depleted linebacker group.
Already without leading tackler David Long Jr., the Dolphins’ linebacker unit suffered another loss when Walker cramped up on a punt. His return is questionable, according to the Dolphins.
Duke Riley has taken his place so far but there might be Channing Tindall sighting soon enough.
This is why you get Tyler Huntley:
With the Dolphins down 6-0 and in danger of yet again going 3-and-out, Huntley showed just why he’s valuable.
Huntley dropped back on a crucial third and 11 then immediately took off to the left on what was very clearly a quarterback draw. Of course he got the first down.
The Dania Beach native’s mobility is exactly why coach Mike McDaniel and the Dolphins sought him. Huntley gives the offense something that McDaniel hasn’t have: a quarterback who’s not only comfortable running the ball but excels at it.
Jason Sanders hit a field goal to get the Dolphins on the board a few plays later. The Titans lead 6-3.
Emmanuel Ogbah gets interception — with his legs:
Now that’s something you don’t see everyday.
Ogbah dropped back into coverage and though he initially dropped the pick courtesy of Titans quarterback Will Levis, he secured the ball with his quads.
Just take a look at this
Jeff Wilson questionable:
Not the injury bug already biting.
Wilson sustained a knee injury during pregame warmups, according to the Dolphins, and he’s officially questionable for the game.
That’s a big hit to unit already without Raheem Mostert.
The list of Dolphins who won’t suit up against the Titans includes Terron Armstead (concussion), David Long Jr. (hamstring), Mostert (chest), Mohamed Kamara, Skylar Thompson (ribs) and Kendall Fuller (concussion).
Thompson, however, will serve as the emergency third quarterback.
Dolphins elevate a receiver:
Dee Eskridge was elevated to the active roster Monday afternoon.
The receiver will be a welcomed addition to a unit that’s been without splashi offseason signing Odell Beckham Jr. who was placed on the player unable to perform (PUP) list in August.
Optimism ahead:
In the NFL, you deal with opponents on a week-by-week basis.
Look too far ahead and you risk losing focus on the task at hand.
That said, Dolphins fans should let out a sigh of relief that their next opponent, the New England Patriots, will stick with Jacobi Brissett at quarterback despite having only thrown for 536 yards and two touchdowns through four games.
“Jacoby is 100% our starter, and that’s how we’re going to look at this going forward,” Patriots coach Jerod Mayo told reporters Monday morning, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
With Tua Tagovailoa out for the foreseeable future, the Dolphins need to stack as many wins as possible if they still want to make the playoffs. Brissett still being QB1 will bode well for that goal. But first things first: the Titans.
Raheem Mostert not suiting up, per NFL Network:
The veteran running back who has missed the last two games with a chest injury will not play against the Tennessee Titans, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Monday morning.
A Pro Bowler in 2023, Mostert was initially listed as questionable for Monday night.
Pregame Dolphins reading:
Check out these stories prior to kickoff:
▪ ‘See what the team’s got.’ Amid adversity, it’s time for Dolphins to prove who they are
▪ Kelly: Dolphins should have revenge on their mind against Titans | Opinion
▪ One thing the Dolphins absolutely must fix. And a Beckham update and more
▪ ESPN or CBS? Here’s how to watch Monday’s Dolphins-Titans game
▪ With Huntley the Dolphins’ new QB1, the Broward native’s ‘child’s dream’ has come true
▪ Explosive plays have hurt the Dolphins’ defense. Here’s how they plan to limit it
This story was originally published September 30, 2024 at 11:03 AM.
