Dolphins’ Flores addresses status of Xavien Howard, Byron Jones and DeVante Parker
Dolphins coach Brian Flores said Friday that cornerbacks Xavien Howard and Byron Jones will practice Friday and he is “hopeful” both will play Sunday at Tampa Bay (1 p.m., CBS).
Howard is dealing with a groin injury that suddenly popped up on the Thursday injury report. He was limited in Thursday’s practice.
Jones has been battling quadriceps and Achilles injuries sustained in last Sunday’s game. He was not at Wednesday’s practice and was limited Thursday.
3:30 P.M. UPDATE: Both were removed from the team’s injury list on Friday and will play on Sunday.
Defensive tackle Raekwon Davis, who has spent the past three weeks on injured reserve with a knee injury, is expected to play on Sunday presuming Friday’s practice goes well for him, Flores said.
Davis will provide a boost to the Dolphins’ run defense. “He’s looked good,” Flores said. “Any time you take time off there’s rust, and I don’t say that in a negative way. We’re excited hopefully to get him back.”
As for receiver DeVante Parker, he popped up on Thursday’s injury report with a hamstring injury.
“DeVante we will see how he does today,” Flores said. “We will see what kind of soreness there is there and make a decision. It may go up until game time.”
UPDATE: Parker was moving well during the early portion of Friday’s practice that’s open to reporters but was limited in practice and is listed as questionable for Sunday.
Center Greg Mancz, who is filling in for injured Michael Deiter, has developed a neck injury but Flores is optimistic he will be able to play.
If Mancz cannot play, newcomer Austin Reiter (the former Chiefs starting center) and practice squad player Cameron Tom are the options. “Austin has done a nice job; Cam has more familiarity with guys on the offensive line,” Flores said.
Flores addressed other issues in his Friday news conference:
▪ Expect to see more of receiver Preston Williams on Sunday after being a healthy scratch the past two weeks. Receiver Albert Wilson might play more, too.
Flores said Williams “physically is in a good place, running well, in good shape. Mentally, I think he’s in a good place also. He’s excited to get an opportunity. He’s not thinking about what happened in the past. He’s excited to get an opportunity. He’s preparing to take advantage of that opportunity.”
Flores said Wilson “has done a good job last couple weeks in practice. If his number is called, he will be ready.”
▪ With Jakeem Grant having been traded to Chicago, Flores said he’s “comfortable with Jaylen [Waddle] going back there to return punts. He has speed, good at making guys miss. Jevon Holland has caught punts in the past.”
Flores said the Dolphins also have “looked at” Noah Igbinoghene as a kickoff return “and some other guys as well.
“Kickoff return is one of those things where [there have been a lot] of touchbacks,” Flores said. “Opportunities are limited.”
▪ The Dolphins have been discussing how to allocate carries among Malcolm Brown, Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed. Brown, surprisingly, has been receiving the most carries recently.
“We talk about that every week, based on game plan, what the offensive game plan is,” Flores said. “We want an in between tackles runner. That could be Myles or Malcolm or Salvon. The game every week plays out a little differently. Could have a plan going in and [change it based on] how the game unfolds.”
▪ Flores, on one question being asked internally this week: “Am I doing everything I can to help the team? That’s what some guys are asking themselves. Sometimes, it’s good to take a look at yourself, evaluate what you’re doing. I’m always doing that. Can I help an individual? Help a coach? If we all do a little bit better, we will get better results. That’s one thing a lot of guys have thought about. We’re seeing a lot of that in practice.”
▪ Flores said Tom Brady will “go after the best coverage matchup” and “if there’s a matchup he likes he will attack that matchup. It could be a coverage situation where there’s a weakness in the coverage. It could be a tight end or linebacker matchup. It definitely will be a challenge for us. You have got to communicate well, tackle, set the edge.”
TAMPA BAY NOTE
As expected, Pro Bowl tight Rob Gronkowski will miss Sunday’s Dolphins game, Tampa Bay coach Bruce Arians said. Impressive young safety Antoine Winfield also is out.
Linebacker Jason Pierre Paul and starting cornerback Jamel Dean will play.
This story was originally published October 8, 2021 at 11:31 AM.
