Dolphins could get two starters back Sunday. Flores addresses multiple injuries, more
Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores said Friday that Jaelen Phillips (hip) and guard Robert Hunt (back) should be able to play Sunday at home against the Giants, despite being limited in practice this week.
And two starters — receiver DeVante Parker and center Michael Deiter — seem poised to return this weekend, barring setbacks. Both are still on injured reserve but have practiced this week.
“They’re moving in the right direction,” Flores said of Parker and Deiter, stopping short of saying that they would definitely play. “We want to see how today [Friday] goes. Both have practiced in a decent clip, some soreness. Been awhile for both guys in pads, so there’s some soreness.”
Parker has missed four games with a hamstring injury, and Deiter has missed nine games with a foot injury. Backup center Greg Mancz also has been practicing and is eligible to return from IR this week.
The Dolphins have one open spot on their 53-man roster and would need to cut two players (or place two players on IR) if they activate Parker, Deiter and Mancz off injured reserve by Saturday’s 4 p.m. deadline.
Meanwhile, running back Phillip Lindsay’s status is in question for Sunday’s game against the Giants.
Lindsay, who made his Dolphins debut Sunday against Carolina, was limited in Wednesday’s practice with an ankle injury and did not practice at all Thursday.
Safety Brandon Jones said Thursday that the elbow injury that sidelined him against Carolina is feeling better, and he’s preparing to play Sunday.
Tight end Adam Shaheen (knee), who also missed the Carolina game, returned to practice on a limited basis this week.
Running back Malcolm Brown, on injured reserve the past four weeks with a quadriceps injury, isn’t ready to return this week.
Also Friday, Flores declined to say if Will Fuller (finger injury) would play again this season. He’s out Sunday.
For the Giants, quarterback Daniel Jones was ruled out with a neck injury. Mike Glennon will get the start. Glennon, in his career, has 44 touchdowns and 27 interceptions and an 83.1 passer rating in his career.
In five starts for the Jaguars last season, Glennon had seven TDs, five INTs and an 80.1 rating. Jacksonville went 0-5 in those games. Glenn is 6-21 as a starter.
“If Glennon is in there, this is a veteran quarterback that has seen a lot of defenses, can throw the football,” Flores said.
Jake Fromm will be Glennon’s backup.
Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard (quadriceps) and tight end Kyle Rudolph (ankle) were limited in Thursday’s practice.
Flores addressed other issues in his Friday news conference:
▪ He said tight end Hunter Long “did some nice things” in his 24 offensive snaps against Carolina.
“He was excited to get out there. Some things he can improve on. We made those corrections. He was ready when his number was called. We’ll see how Adam [Shaheen] feels today.“
Long would play again Sunday if Shaheen cannot.
▪ Flores said cornerback Javaris Davis “did a nice job” in his 10 defensive snaps against Carolina. That was his first playing time in a regular-season game. “It was a good experience to see the speed of the game. There are real opportunities to teach.”
▪ Durham Smythe “is a team-first guy,” Flores said. “Whatever we ask him to do, catching the ball or blocking or punt or sneaking the ball on third-and-1. He brings a lot to this team.”
▪ Asked if the play of Liam Eichenberg and Austin Jackson the past two weeks has left him encouraged, Flores said: “We’ve got a big challenge this week with a big defensive line, with [Giants defensive linemen] Leonard Williams and Austin Johnson and Dexter Lawrence. Last few weeks don’t really... We’re just trying to prepare for this group this week.”
▪ Flores said linebacker Jerome Baker’s “versatility gives us flexibility to move him around. They create a number of potential issues, with the number of skill players they have. To have Jerome be able to play different spots, there are choices you can make defensively.”
This story was originally published December 3, 2021 at 10:59 AM.
