Dolphins lose another starting lineman — and promote receiver to fill open roster spot

For the second time in a month, the Dolphins have lost a starting offensive lineman with a long-term injury. Guard Danny Isidora is the latest to be shelved; he was placed on injured reserve on Wednesday with a foot injury that requires surgery and will likely sideline him for the rest of the season, according to a league source.

To fill the roster spot, the Dolphins promoted receiver Isaiah Ford from the practice squad.

Isidora, a former University of Miami player, started the Dolphins’ first three games at right guard. Veteran Evan Boehm is the top candidate to replace him, though rookie Shaq Calhoun and perhaps veteran Chris Reed also could get a look.

Boehm started nine games for Arizona in 2016 and 2017 and four games for the Colts last season. Like Isidora, he was acquired in an Aug. 30 trade.

In addition, left tackle Jesse Davis - who left Sunday’s game in Dallas with an arm injury - was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday and worked with a brace on his arm. He said he’s “day to day” but “I’m not counting myself out” for Sunday’s game.

If he cannot play on Sunday against the Chargers, Miami’s options would include having guard Michael Deiter play left tackle again (as he did for much of Sunday’s game) or inserting veteran offensive tackle Andrew Donnal, who signed on Tuesday.

Isidora joins right tackle Julien Davenport (knee) as Dolphins starting offensive linemen who are on injured reserve.

The Dolphins can reinstate two players off injured reserve among Isidora, Davenport, defensive end Jonathan Ledbetter and rookie linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel. But Isidora likely won’t be able to return. Van Ginkel appears the closest to returning of that group.

Davenport, Ledbetter and Van Ginkel are eligible to return for Miam’s eighth game this season. Isidora could return for the 11th game under league rules, but very likely won’t be able to do that physically.

Ford was promoted to the 53 because the Dolphins are in a precarious position at receiver, with Allen Hurns in concussion protocol and Albert Wilson working his way back from a calf injury that sidelined him the past two games.

Wilson returned to practice Wednesday but was limited, and Hurns remained sidelined.

The Dolphins played most of Sunday’s game with three healthy receivers — DeVante Parker, Jakeem Grant and Preston Williams.

Ford, a seventh-round pick in 2017, has appeared in one regular-season game for the Dolphins (in 2018) and does not have a reception.

With Ford promoted, the Dolphins filled the open spot on their practice squad by signing former University of Jacksonville receiver Andy Jones, who started two games for the Detroit Lions last season and had 11 receptions for 80 yards. Former Duke standout T.J. Rahming is the other receiver on Miami’s practice squad.

Meanwhile, the Dolphins’ secondary is becoming increasingly depleted. Safety Bobby McCain (hamstring) and cornerback Jomal Wiltz (groin) did not practice Wednesday. Wiltz is not expected to play Sunday and McCain’s status is in question.

With Minkah Fitzpatrick traded and Wiltz and McCain injured, the Dolphins used Chris Lammons as the primary slot cornerback in practice Wednesday.

The good news: Safety Reshad Jones, who missed the past two games with an ankle injury, suited up for practice Wednesday, though he was a limited participant. Jones said he’s healthy and ready to play Sunday and reiterated that he does not want to be traded.

PUP UPDATE

The Dolphins have two young defensive players on the physically unable to perform list after 2018 ACL tears -- defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche and cornerback Cordrea Tanklersey -- and both are eligible to come off that list and play in games beginning the week of Oct. 14.

But Flores made no assurances Wednesday that they would play at all in 2019.

Both are serious about their rehab, Flores said, but added “if they’re ready then [Oct. 14], great. If not, they’ll continue to rehab.”

Per league rules, Nkemdiche and Tankersley would have a five-week window to begin practicing, and then the Dolphins would have an additional three weeks to decide whether to activate them to the 53. If the Dolphins choose not to activate them, each player must either be put on injured reserve or released.

This story was originally published September 25, 2019 at 11:24 AM.