Just when it looked like the Miami Dolphins running back room was set to get healthy and be ready for a high-powered clash with the Kansas City Chiefs this weekend, yet another curveball has been thrown the Dolphins’ way. This one is a tough blow — ESPN’s Adam Schefter has reported that the Dolphins will be placing RB Myles Gaskin on the reserve/COVID-19 list, a maneuver that leaves the Dolphins without their best overall running back and short a total of three ball carriers this weekend against Kansas City.
Dolphins placed RB Myles Gaskin on the reserve/COVID list today. He is out for Sunday vs. Chiefs.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 12, 2020
It is yet to be determined whether or not Gaskin was a close contact or has actually tested for the virus — but it doesn’t appear as though the situation will change for Miami regardless of the context Gaskin’s designation on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
Gaskin missed several games earlier this season with an MCL sprain; which opened the door for the Dolphins to see other ball carriers step into a featured role over the course of the past month. Rookie UDFA Salvon Ahmed made the most of his opportunity but has been dealing with a shoulder injury and he too will be out on Sunday against the Chiefs. Also out is Matt Breida, who was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list last week.
That leaves just a handful of options for the Dolphins; with DeAndre Washington looking like a prime candidate to challenge for a “revenge game” against his former team. Miami traded for Washington ahead of the 2020 NFL trade deadline. The Dolphins’ offense, regardless of who has been carrying the football, hasn’t been overly impactful in the running game to date — so the silver lining for Miami is that the team’s game plan isn’t likely to change much. Rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was already going to have to hold a starring role in this contest if the Dolphins are going to brew an upset over the Chiefs.
That will be even more the case after Miami’s loss of Gaskin for the foreseeable future.