Miami Dolphins get five players back from COVID-19. And Flores addresses several issues
The Dolphins on Wednesday got back five of the 14 players on the COVID-19 list.
Tight end Cethan Carter, linebacker Duke Riley, cornerback Justin Coleman, guard Robert Jones and center Greg Mancz came off the COVID-19 list and will practice on Wednesday, coach Brian Flores said.
Of the nine remaining players on the COVID list, six were on the 53-man roster before being placed on the COVID list: safety Brandon Jones, receivers Albert Wilson and Preston Williams, defensive linemen Adam Butler and John Jenkins and guard Solomon Kindley.
All six are eligible to return for Sunday’s game at Tennessee if they do not display symptoms after a five-day quarantine. They do not even require a negative test to return.
Brandon Jones, Butler, Jenkins and Williams were this week’s additions to the COVID list, but the new NFL’s new policy — allowing players to return after five days on the list - give them each the chance to potentially play on Sunday.
Receivers Lynn Bowden and Allen Hurns (both on injured reserve) and practice squad guard Durval Queiroz Neto also are on the COVID list. Bowden and Hurns are not eligible to play ths season.
Flores addressed other issues in his Wednesday Zoom session with reporters:
▪ Per sources, the Dolphins are auditioning punt and kickoff returners on Wednesday in the search for a replacement for Tommylee Lewis, who is out for the remainder of the regular season with a hip injury.
Asked if the Dolphins are trying to conserve Jaylen Waddle’s energy or have him focus on offense, Flores said a lot of factors contributed to the decision not to use him on returns on Monday, including the fact that he had come off the COVID list in recent days.
▪ Cold weather is expected Sunday in Tennessee. What will the Dolphins do to deal with that?
“Put thermals, put a hoodie on and get up there,” Flores said.
▪ Flores called Titans defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons “one of the best defensive players in the league, tough to double. They’ve got a lot of good players on their front, across the board.”
▪ Flores addressed the passing of legendary broadcaster John Madden, calling it “a huge loss for the sport. As far as legacy and impact and lives he touched as a person, coach, husband and father, he’s up there on the Mount [Rushmore] of coaching.”
Flores said they never met.
▪ CBS is sending Sunday’s game to only portions of Florida and Tennessee and surrounding areas, with Kevin Harlan and Trent Green on the call.
This story was originally published December 29, 2021 at 10:43 AM.
