Dolphins final injury report: Miami comes to Cleveland healthy

CB Ken Webster is doubtful, DE Taco Charlton is questionable after Friday’s practice

The Miami Dolphins have several key players already out for the season, but the roster they bring to FirstEnergy Stadium to play the Cleveland Browns in Week 12 is pretty healthy.

None of the 53 players on the Dolphins’ active roster will miss the game due to injury. The Dolphins have just two players with any injury designation for Sunday’s game.

Defensive end Taco Charlton is questionable with an elbow injury. He was a limited participant in practices all week. Cornerback Ken Webster was also limited throughout the week, and he is listed as doubtful by the Dolphins.

Starting QB Ryan Fitzpatrick is on the injury list with shoulder and forearm issues, but he will play after being a full participant in Friday’s practice.

The full Dolphins injury report, courtesy of the team:

Behind Enemy Lines with Dolphins Wire to preview Week 12

Kyle Crabbs of Dolphins Wire helps break down the Week 12 game between the Browns and Dolphins

The 2-8 Miami Dolphins visit FirstEnergy Stadium this Sunday. It’s Miami’s first time playing in Cleveland since the 2013 season opener, a game the Dolphins won 20-13.

Both teams have hired and fired multiple coaches and GMs since that day six years ago. To help get caught up on all the transition with the visitors from Miami, I called upon Dolphins Wire managing editor Kyle Crabbs to answer a few questions about where that team is at.

You can follow Kyle on Twitter at @GrindingTheTape, and he’s a great resource for NFL draft info with his work at The Draft Network, too.

The Browns will be without as many as three starters on the DL. Can the Dolphins OL take advantage?

I don’t see Miami winning a lot of battles up front, regardless of Cleveland’s absences. The Dolphins have not been able to run the ball or reset the line of scrimmage with any consistency in recent weeks and unless something drastic changes (more carries for RB Patrick Laird), that should continue against Cleveland. I expect the Dolphins to spend most of this game chasing the scoreboard and from that front, missing Myles Garrett is helpful to the cause on 3rd downs.

How has the run game been working lately?

Miami’s best work this season on the ground game after the trade of Kenyan Drake and before the suspension of Mark Walton. Walton has since been released after accusations of a domestic violence incident arose earlier this week, leaving Kalen Ballage, Myles Gaskin and Patrick Laird as the backs. Ballage struggles greatly to create in the backfield and his high volume of carries and low output of yards has really hindered Miami’s ground game. The Dolphins just don’t have the studs up front to power open gaps for him to feel and see early.

Are there any rookies who are worthy of attention?

If you like rookie play, you’ve come to the right place. Two of Miami’s better rookies are UDFAs, WR Preston Williams and CB Nik Needham. Williams is shelved for the year with an ACL injury suffered a while back but Needham has transitioned from a preseason liability into a viable outside corner with stunning efficiency. I’d be remiss to mention DT Christian Wilkins, who started slow but has also seen the lightbulb come on over the past month. He’s playing stout and productive football on the line.

What is one thing about the Browns that scares you as a Dolphins fan?

The “Jarvis Landry” factor. Landry unceremoniously saw his tenure in Miami end with the trade to Cleveland and Landry has had several years to stew over the decision not to pay him. Landry isn’t a perfect player but he’s a red hot personality who plays the game hard — he doesn’t need any extra motivation to get up for Sundays. Yet he’s got it this week against Miami and the Dolphins don’t have anyone who can reliably cover him.

Who wins and why?

Give me Cleveland to win, 24-13. The Browns have plenty of raw talent and that will win out against a team that serves as their polar opposite: a non-talented team who plays disciplined. The Browns playoff push can’t afford a loss and I think they’ll play focused as a result.

Miami Dolphins at Cleveland Browns odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Miami Dolphins at Cleveland Browns sports betting odds and lines, with NFL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Miami Dolphins (2-8) battle the Cleveland Browns (4-6) at 1 p.m. ET Sunday, as the Browns look for a season-high three-game winning streak. We analyze the Dolphins-Browns sports betting odds and lines, with NFL betting picks and tips for the Week 12 matchup.

Dolphins at Browns: Week 12 preview, betting trends and notes

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.

The Browns started out 0-3 straight up and against the spread as a favorite, but they’re 2-0 SU/1-0-1 ATS in the past two while favored, both at home.
The Dolphins went 0-3 ATS in their first three games as double-digit underdogs, but they’re 3-0 ATS in their past three as a dog of 10 or more points.
The Under is 3-1 in the past four road games for Miami, scoring 14.3 points per game in four outings away from home.
Cleveland is 2-1 SU/1-1-1 ATS in three games vs. AFC East teams with the Under cashing in each of those outings.
The Browns rank 16th in total yards allowed (344.0) and sixth in passing yards (216.8) yielded.
The Dolphins are 31st with 30.5 PPG allowed.

Dolphins at Browns: Key injuries

Dolphins: CB Ken Webster (ankle) is considered doubtful, while DE Taco Charlton (elbow) is listed as questionable.

Browns: S Eric Murray (knee) and DE Olivier Vernon (knee) are listed as out, while LB Joe Schobert (groin) is questionable. Of course, DE Myles Garrett and DT Larry Ogunjobi are suspended, too.

Dolphins at Browns: Odds, betting lines and prediction

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 9:45 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Browns 23, Dolphins 17

Moneyline (?)

The Browns (-556) are overwhelming favorites, but they’re not worth the risk with such a small return on investment. If anything, the Dolphins (+400) would be worth the small-unit play, as you could quadruple your investment if they pull the upset.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on the moneyline returns a $1.80 profit with a Cleveland victory.

Against the Spread (?)

The DOLPHINS (+10.5, -110) have covered three in a row as double-digit underdogs. The Browns (-10.5, -110) have struggled in the role as a favorite, and their offense just hasn’t been hitting on all cylinders. As such, they cannot be trusted, even against a struggling team like the Dolphins.

Over/Under (?)

The UNDER 44.5 (-110) is worth a look as neither of the offenses in this game have been particularly consistent. The Under is 9-4 in the past 13 road games for Miami, and 7-3 in the past 10 against losing teams. The Under is 6-2-1 in Cleveland’s past nine against losing teams, and 18-7-1 in its past 26 at home.

Want action on this game? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. Looking for more sports betting picks and tips? Visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Olivier Vernon out vs. Dolphins, Browns will be without 3 DL starters

Chad Thomas, Chris Smith and Devaroe Lawrence will be starting vs. the Dolphins

The Cleveland Browns defensive line will look a lot different than a few weeks ago. Starting end Olivier Vernon will miss his third straight game with a knee injury. The Browns ruled out the veteran EDGE on Friday.

With fellow DE Myles Garrett and DT Larry Ogunjobi suspended for their personal fouls and ejections in Week 11, the Browns defensive line will feature just one regular starter, DT Sheldon Richardson.

Vernon has not even practiced since injuring his knee at the end of the team’s Week 9 loss in Denver.

Chad Thomas and Chris Smith will take over as the starting ends, while Devaroe Lawrence will assume Ogunjobi’s spot along the interior. The depth behind the replacement starters is scant, with Eli Ankou inside and recently signed Bryan Cox Jr. on the edge.

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Browns vs. Dolphins: Week 12 game primer

Everything you need to know about the Cleveland Browns vs. Miami Dolphins matchup in Week 12

Team Records

Cleveland Browns: 4-6 (3rd in the AFC North)
Miami Dolphin: 2-8 (4th in the AFC East)

All-Time Record: Miami leads the series 11-8

The Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns have played 19 times dating back to 1970. The Browns have been at home for eleven (11) of those match-ups and have a record of 7-4 at home against the Dolphins.

The last time these two teams squared off was in an overtime loss for the Browns in Miami. At that time, the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback was Cody Kessler with Isaiah Crowell, Duke Johnson, and Terrell Pryor as Kessler’s primary skill position players.

Headlines Of The Game

Browns

Coming off of “Helmetgate” in Week 11, the Browns are without multiple defensive players. The Browns may be distracted with so much going on around the team and not be focused on the playoff race ahead of them.

Dolphins

Winning two of their last three games, the Dolphins recently put safety Reshad Jones and safety Bobby McCain on injured reserve and waived running back Mark Walton (story here from Dolphins Wire). The Dolphins are a beat-up, but scrappy team. They do not just roll over to their opposition and are well-coached.

Key Personnel for the Dolphins

Ryan Fitzpatrick, 160 for 253 attempts (63.2% completion percentage), 1,687 yards (26th), 8 TDs (30th), 8 INTs (13th)

Kalen Ballage, 64 rush attempts for 122 yards, 3 TDs, 13 receptions on 22 targets, 50 receiving yards, 0 receiving TDs

DeVante Parker, 40 receptions on 72 targets, 604 receiving yards, 4 receiving TDs

Albert Wilson, 14 receptions on 25 targets, 84 receiving yards, 1 receiving TDs

Allen Hurns, 17 receptions on 25 targets, 223 receiving yards, 1 receiving TDs

Mike Gesicki, 28 receptions on 43 targets, 294 receiving yards, 0 receiving TDs

Keys To Victory

Don’t fall for the trap – it would be really easy for the Browns to look past Week 12 against the Dolphins and towards their Week 13 game in Pittsburgh. This is how you fall for a trap game and potentially create the worst Browns home loss of the season. The Browns need to show up big.

Lean on the rushing attack – the Miami Dolphins have allowed the third-most rushing yards in the NFL in 2019 and the Browns have the formidable duo of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt in the backfield.

Learn how to create pressure – with Myles Garrett on the field, creating pressure was not too much of a challenge. With Myles Garrett suspended, Larry Ogunjobi suspended, and Olivier Vernon likely out, the Cleveland Browns can use this game as a learning experience. In this game, the Browns can work on creating pressure from different areas of the field and learn how to play without Myles Garrett on the field.

Stop Ryan Fitzpatrick – the Dolphins do not have a running game to lean on with Mark Walton released, Kalen Ballage struggling, and their best backfield asset being undrafted rookie, Patrick Laird.

Final Prediction

Browns win 31-20.

The Browns have some struggles discovering their post-Myles Garrett defense. The Browns offense comes together after understanding they must carry the team through these rough waters.

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Browns reveal 1st unofficial depth chart without Myles Garrett

Garrett and Ogunjobi are suspended, Morgan Burnett on IR and that leaves some holes on the D

There’s a big change on the unofficial depth chart for the Cleveland Browns this week. With defensive end Myles Garrett out with his indefinite suspension, the defensive line is missing its best player.

Chad Thomas is listed as the starter in Garrett’s old spot opposite fellow EDGE Olivier Vernon, who remains listed as a starter but is designated with an injury. Vernon has missed the last two games with a knee injury.

Devaroe Lawrence takes over one of the starting DT roles for the suspended Larry Ogunjobi on the inside. Eli Ankou is now the only reserve tackle on the defensive roster.

There are also just three healthy safeties after Morgan Burnett was placed on I.R. with his torn Achilles. The Browns do have some open roster spots to help fill out the depth.

The full unofficial depth chart for Week 12 against the Miami Dolphins:

Browns open as rare double-digit favorites vs. Dolphins in Week 12

It’s just the 3rd time since 1999 the Browns are favored by 10 or more

Winners of two in a row, the Cleveland Browns are riding high. And with the lowly Miami Dolphins coming to town in Week 12, the professional bookmakers believe the Browns will keep the win streak rolling.

The Browns opened as 10.5-point favorites over the Dolphins at BetMGM. That’s the largest point spread currently on the board for Week 12. Cleveland is 4-6 but has won two games in a row. Miami is 2-8 after getting blown out by the New York Jets in Week 11.

This game marks just the third time the Browns have been favored by 10 or more points in the 21st century.

In Week 16 last season, the Browns were 10-point favorites over the Cincinnati Bengals. Cleveland won 26-18 but failed to cover the spread. The only other instance was in 2007, when Romeo Crennel’s Browns beat the San Francisco 49ers 20-7 in Week 17 as 11.5-point favorites at home.

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