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When the Dolphins signed Will Fuller to a one-year contract worth $10 million this offseason, there was one big drawback. Fuller has missed games frequently in his career.
Prior to signing with Miami, Fuller spent five seasons with Houston. During that time, the wideout missed 26 games due to various injuries.
That question has played out as expected in 2021. Through the first eight weeks of the season, Fuller has played just two games and has seen just eight targets.
The Dolphins’ offense is missing that downfield ability that he provides, so it makes sense that ESPN (subscription required) has ranked Fuller’s finger injury as the fifth most harmful injury to a team this season.
Here’s what ESPN’s Kevin Seifert had to say about the injury and its impact:
“Fuller has played in only two games this season because of a combination of the finger injury, a suspension and personal reasons. But regardless of the reason, the Dolphins haven’t gotten any of the downfield playmaking they hoped for after signing him as a free agent.
Since his career began in 2016, Fuller has 15 touchdown receptions of at least 15 air yards. Seven of them have traveled at least 30 yards in the air. He was one of the most effective deep receivers in the NFL when healthy over that time, and in his absence, the Dolphins have been punchless. They’ve averaged the second-lowest yards per dropback (5.4) in the NFL in 2021.
Scheme, pass protection and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa‘s ongoing development are also contributing factors. But in the big picture, the Dolphins have had a largely ineffective passing offense as their designated downfield receiver has spent most of the season away from the field.”
Seifert hits this right on the money. Fuller’s presence would make this wide receiver group look much more complete.
Should the Dolphins have gone after a different wideout like Corey Davis or Emmanuel Sanders this offseason? Both were less expensive and have played more often.
Fuller hasn’t even begun practicing yet since his injury. At this point, it doesn’t feel like the Dolphins will be counting on him if he comes back at all.
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