Two starters questionable for Miami. And Robinson’s rise and 10 Dolphins personnel nuggets
The Dolphins listed starters Terron Armstead and Alec Ingold as questionable for Sunday’s game against visiting New England, but coach Mike McDaniel expressed optimism about both being able to play.
Cornerback Kendall Fuller (concussion) was the only Dolphins player ruled out for Sunday. Those were the only three players on the 53-man roster with an injury designation for Sunday.
Besides Armstead and Ingold, two players who aren’t on the 53-man roster -- guard Isaiah Wynn (quadriceps/knee) and safety Patrick McMorris (calf) -- also were listed as questionable for Sunday. McDaniel said Friday that Wynn and McMorris are likely to be activated in the days after Sunday’s game.
Ingold, Miami’s fullback, has missed two games with a calf injury; McDaniel said “I’m feeling as optimistic as I’ve felt in the last three weeks” with regard to his availability on Sunday.
Armstead, who has played left tackle at an elite level all season, didn’t want to discuss how the knee injury happened but said “I’m trying to do everything I can to be ready for Sunday.”
Does he feel good? “It doesn’t matter,” he said.
Armstead didn’t practice at all the past two weeks. McDaniel said most left tackles need to practice once or twice each week to be ready for games, but Armstead is an exception.
How does he prepare without practicing?
“Lot of mental [reps],” he said. “I’ve got to be locked in on the playbook, know my assignment and have a plan for each player I’m going to go against. I do that. I make sure I have a plan to attack each rusher and fit in the run game.”
THIS AND THAT
▪ In discussing his excellent past two games (which have featured 12 quarterback pressures and two sacks), Dolphins rookie outside linebacker Chop Robinson has been careful to mention the players who have helped mentor him -- Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips and Armstead. All have offered guidance and tips, with Armstead offering particularly unique perspective from an offensive tackle’s viewpoint.
With Chubb and Phillips, “they both helped me out a lot, the run game, talking to them about life,” Robinson said. “They’re my brothers. I’m blessed to have them on my team.”
With Armstead, “I talk to him all the time. After practice, I’ll talk to him about little things” that can help his game.
▪ Robinson leads all NFL edge rushers in pass rush win rate the past two weeks.
Robinson said the two sacks the past two weeks -- which were his his first two as a pro -- “definitely has boosted my confidence. I listened to Calais Campbell and Chubb and Phillips, and they always say they come in bunches, so once you get the first one, that’s when you start rolling.”
Armstead said of Robinson: “Chop is scratching the surface of what he’s going to be. His work ethic, his ability to take what you give him, a coaching point or tip or something you see and apply it immediately is incredible. His level of professionalism as a rookie [is impressive]. He’s got a lot more production we will continue to see.”
▪ The Dolphins’ 17 sacks are the fewest in the AFC and third fewest in the NFL, ahead of only Atlanta (10) and Carolina (12). On the flip side, Miami has permitted 25 sacks on offense, 16th most in the league.
▪ The Dolphins have only 20 passing plays of 20 yards or more, tied with New England and Chicago for second-fewest behind the Giants (19).
Only five teams have fewer 20-plus rushing plays than Miami’s four.
Will the Dolphins need big plays at some point?
“Of course,” Tyreek Hill said. “We’re always looking for big plays and obviously Tua [Tagovailoa] understands what he has to work with whenever he’s on the field. So whenever that time comes, he’s going to take a shot. So [we’re] just waiting on our moment.”
▪ Tagovailoa said players-only meetings have helped in recent weeks.
“It’s been good,” he said. “I like to keep all those conversations private, but I think those have definitely helped push the envelope of what we want to see as a team and what we want to do going forward.”
▪ Tagovailoa, asked about three starters losing their starting jobs this year (Durham Smythe, Raheem Mostert and since-released David Long), said: “It’s tough when Mike has to have sit down conversations with guys in starting roles and having to maneuver through that because of the person that he is.”
▪ Offensive coordinator Frank Smith was asked why the Dolphins passed from their own 35 yard line and three seconds left in the first half against Las Vegas, instead of sitting on the ball and not risking a turnover or injury.
“That end of half [play], we’re trying to score,” he said. “We thought there was an opportunity to try to get the ball downfield or get a potential penalty. You can take a knee and say it’s done.”
Jonnu Smith caught a pass for 15 yards on the play.
▪ Coming off a big game against the Raiders, Jonnu Smith said the fact that he became the first Dolphins tight end (since 1970) to produce two touchdowns and 100 receiving yards in a game was a “cool stat. 1970, I wasn’t even thought of at that time. My mom didn’t even know my dad at that time.”
▪ You know who’s had an under-the-radar good season?
Da’Shawn Hand, who’s ranked by Pro Football as the 39th best among 116 defensive lineman.
Defensive line coach Austin Clark said Hand has exceeded his expectations: “He’s worked his way up from the practice squad, is strong as an ox.”
PFF rates Calais Campbell fourth best among 116 defensive linemen, while Zach Sieler is rated 16th best. So the Dolphins have three defensive linemen in the top 40, among 116 qualifiers.
▪ Clark said defensive tackle Benito Jones “probably played his best game the other day. He’s doing much better with his pad leverage.”
This story was originally published November 22, 2024 at 4:01 PM.
