The Miami Dolphins’ injury woes are back with a vengeance. Miami welcomed back several key players this past week ahead of Week 11’s loss to the Buffalo Bills, including OT Julien Davenport and long-time safety Reshad Jones. And just a few days after apparently getting fit and ready to play the final stretch of the season, Miami has seen their luck with health turn south once more.
The Dolphins announced yesterday that they’ve placed starting safeties Reshad Jones and Bobby McCain on injured reserve, the latest massive blow to Miami’s secondary — which is now missing four of their top five players entering the season. The duo joins Xavien Howard on injured reserve, plus the since traded away Minkah Fitzpatrick. The last man standing in the secondary is DB Eric Rowe, ironic given his own health battles in recent seasons with the Patriots.
Joining Jones and McCain is recently claimed wide receiver Gary Jennings, who suffered a shoulder injury in his first game with the Miami Dolphins.
We have signed safety Adrian Colbert, activated linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel from IR, and promoted defensive tackle Gerald Willis from the practice squad.
We have placed Gary Jennings, Reshad Jones and Bobby McCain on injured reserve.
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) November 20, 2019
Jennings’ loss won’t impact the team too significantly in 2019 but the loss of Jones and McCain looms large over Miami’s final 6 games as the team looks for additional wins to build momentum for 2020 and beyond. Without both starting safeties, the Dolphins’ pass defense will be even further stressed by all passing offenses along the way. Miami faces young quarterbacks in Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Daniel Jones and Ryan Finley yet this season — but the ability to make those passers uncomfortable without their best players in the secondary and minimal pass rush is going to pose a unique challenge for head coach Brian Flores and company.
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