So far, so good. The preseason is really only crucial in one regard: staying healthy at key positions. This has, perhaps, never been more true for the Dolphins than it is this season. The defense is thin- painfully thin in several crucial areas. So far, the Dolphins have emerged relatively unscathed, and that is the biggest preseason victory of all.
The biggest concern for Miami on the injury front is the health of Mike Pouncey. NFL injuries are usually shrouded in some mystery, and we'll have to wait to see when our All Pro Center returns, and how sound the hip is when that happens. Thankfully, the injury is not thought to be severe and is not on the same side as his previous hip injury.
Beyond Pouncey, the Dolphins will be missing Jelani Jenkins as he recovers from a knee scope. We will anxiously await news as to whether he will start at Seattle, as our linebacking group is very thin. Otherwise, the Dolphins are in solid shape. Fede will miss a few weeks with a knee strain and we will await the unveiling of Xavien Howard, who looks recovered. When Chris Culliver returns in October, corner may be a position of relative depth.
It may be instructive to compare our circumstances with those of the Bills:
Marcell Dareus (DL) Suspended for four games.
IK Enemkpali (LB) Lost for season.
Reggie Ragland (LB) Lost for season.
Cordy Glenn (Oline) Lost for 3 weeks.
Karlos Williams (RB) Suspended/CUT.
And the Patriots:
Rob Ninkovich (LB) Likely to miss 1-3 games.
Dion Lewis (RB) Likely to miss first 4-5 games.
Sebastian Vollmer (OT) Out for season.
Tom Brady (QB) Suspended 4 games.
I don't wish injuries on anyone, and I am particularly sad to see promising rookies like Ragland have the start to their careers delayed. I only wish to point out that, for the first time in a long time, the Dolphins have been less preyed upon than some of our rivals. As a closing thought, the Jets are also healthy - and in my view very dangerous.
In any event, as the preseason comes to a close, we have reason to be thankful so far in Miami.
Jay Lopez
Saturday, August 27, 2016
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10 comments
"The biggest concern for Miami on the injury front is the health of Mike Pouncey."
I disagree. Pouncey is the least of their worries. Everytime he goes out, the o-line play improves. He is part of the problem... trade him!
I disagree- Pouncey is a beast.
Healthy is wealthy.
I feel much better about going to Seattle with the offensI've line playing better. Tannehill has been kept upright and that is, in my opinion, the biggest win of the preseason.
That was an off season win in my view. When we drafted like first and picked up Bushrod, we knew the weak guards would disappear. And good riddance to them
Having 5 serviceable CBs is the only real issue. Right now at best we have 3. The O-Line depth is fine AND Pounce only has a bad bruise. He will play Sept 11.
Having 5 serviceable CBs is the only real issue. Right now at best we have 3. The O-Line depth is fine AND Pounce only has a bad bruise. He will play Sept 11.
Likely have to hit the wire for a corner this year. And perhaps at LB... I wish we hadn't drafted Phillips.
Dion Jordan is out for some injury as well isn't he?
Dion Jordan is out for some injury as well isn't he?
Yes- his character is hurting ;) I didn't include him because I don't think he is rosterable.