As trade deadline nears, Wilson Jr. adjusts to new role. And Dolphins notes, injury report
Aside from Raheem Mostert, no Dolphins player has a longer association with Mike McDaniel than Jeff Wilson Jr., who has fondness and respect for the Dolphins coach.
But like any professional, Wilson also wants to play.
That has left him with mixed emotions with the NFL’s trade deadline approaching Tuesday.
Wilson had eight carries for 40 yards in the Dolphins’ first four games and has been inactive — essentially a healthy scratch — for the past three games.
He’s now fourth on the depth chart at running back, behind De’Von Achane, Raheem Mostert and Jaylen Wright.
So would Wilson like to remain with the team past the trade deadline or be sent to a team where he could play more?
“If I could play here and find a way to play, I would love to stay,” he said. “I love it here. Everyone has embraced me. I would love to stay and play here.”
But he also admits that not playing has been difficult.
“I came to play, not to sit,” he said, while not complaining about his lack of usage. “These are my golden years… But it’s not like I feel like I should be playing ahead of the other guys. I [do] feel like I can help.”
The Dolphins acquired Wilson from the 49ers, in exchange for a fifth-round pick, at the 2022 trade deadline. He has averaged 4.7 yards per rush on 133 carries in parts of three seasons with Miami.
Wilson, 28, spent four years with McDaniel in San Francisco (2018-2021), when McDaniel was the 49ers’ running backs coach and then the offensive coordinator for a season.
INJURY REPORT
The Dolphins’ final injury report reflected what McDaniel shared in his Friday morning news conference.
Defensive lineman Zach Sieler (fractured orbital bone), cornerback Kader Kohou (neck) and tight end Julian Hill (shoulder) are out for Sunday’s game at Buffalo (1 p.m., CBS). Safety Jevon Holland (knee) is doubtful and not expected to play.
Meanwhile, fullback Alec Ingold (calf), cornerback Storm Duck (ankle) and receiver River Cracraft (shoulder) are listed as questionable, but McDaniel said he expects Ingold will play and that Cracraft likely won’t be activated from injured reserve until next week.
Receiver Tyreek Hill is expected to continue to play through a foot injury, coach McDaniel said. He practiced fully Friday and doesn’t have an injury designation for the game.
Outside linebacker Emmanuel Ogbah said he will continue to play despite a tear in his biceps.
Buffalo listed receivers Amari Cooper and Curtis Samuel and cornerback Christian Benford as questionable for Sunday’s game.
RAMSEY’S BLITZES
With the Dolphins unable to generate consistent pressure from their front seven, defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver has blitzed cornerback Jalen Ramsey 11 times in the past two games. He has no sacks but five pressures on those 11 rushes, which is an outstanding ratio.
Ramsey said Friday that rushing the QB “has been cool. I’ve got to capitalize on my rushes a little bit. I’ve been a little sloppy on my rushes and technique. I’m going to get that right. I like being able to do whatever the defense calls for me to do.”
Ramsey, who has two career sacks on limited pass rushing opportunities, remains hopeful amid a 2-5 start.
“You look around the locker room; you see the guys we have,” he said. “When you watch the film and watch we’ve done, there is some good to take from some things we’ve done and there’s plenty of lessons we have to learn. We hold each other to a high standard. We’re still in the race.... I keep hoping until I can’t keep hope any more... I feel we have a good group of guys who are wired like that.”
ESKRIDGE APPRECIATIVE
Second-round draft picks aren’t typically released before the end of their (four-year) rookie contracts. When the Seattle Seahawks waived Eskridge in August, three seasons after selecting him 56th overall in the 2021 draft, Eskridge knew he needed to do more, not just on the field, but off.
After being promoted from the Dolphins’ practice squad to their 53-man roster last week, Eskridge is determined to seize on a second chance.
“I’ve been growing as a man,” he said. “I spend more time watching film now, doing on-field stuff.”
He said all the receivers and cornerbacks “are fast,” and a key to NFL longevity is “learning the game and understanding the game. I’m feeling blessed” to get this chance.
Eskridge had 17 receptions for 122 yards in three years in Seattle and has two receptions for 36 yards in 29 snaps, over three games, for Miami. He’s also now serving as the Dolphins’ top kickoff returner and had one return for 35 yards against Arizona. He missed practice for personal reasons on Friday, but the team indicated he will play Sunday.
Eskridge essentially replaced Braxton Berrios as the Dolphins’ fifth receiver after Berrios’ season-ending knee injury, joining Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Odell Beckham Jr. and Malik Washington as wide receivers on the 53-man roster.
A roster spot will need to be created when Cracraft is activated off injured reserve, potentially next week.
This story was originally published November 1, 2024 at 4:07 PM.
