The Miami Dolphins benched linebacker David Long Jr., one of their four defensive team captains, in Week 9 and he won’t be getting his job back in Week 10.
“I thought [Anthony Walker Jr.] went out there and did a good job of both executing not only his assignment but communicating to the defense overall and trying to help guys out,” Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver told reporters Friday.
“That’ll be a decision based week-to-week. Love [Long]. He’s a captain. He’s an outstanding teammate. At this particular time, we just think ‘Walk’ gives us the best chance to go out there and execute from a defensive standpoint.”
Not only was Long yanked from the starting lineup against the Buffalo Bills, he didn’t play a single snap in the Dolphins’ 30-27 loss.
Long, 28, received a grade below 42 from Pro Football Focus in each of his last four games and was credited with missing 12 tackles during that stretch. Walker received a 54.8 grade against the Bills.
“It was less about David Long not doing something and more about we felt like ‘Walk’ needed and deserved the opportunity and has skills of his own in his own right that were the best man for the job,” McDaniel explained earlier in the week.
“It’s not necessarily fun, but the whole team and organization are depending on you to try to do what you see as very best. And I think David respects that and regards that. I’m sure he disagrees, but it’s about understanding intent and I think the whole team loves David. That’s why they voted him captain, but also you have to – I think it was the football team was excited for ‘Walk’s’ opportunity which he made the most of, for sure.”
Walker, 29, joined the Dolphins in March after spending the last three seasons with the Cleveland Browns.
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