Dolphins Injury Report: Miami's Tight End Concerns Continue In Week 9 Versus NY Jets
Coming off a bye, the extra week of rest wasn’t enough time for key Dolphins players to return to action and kick off to the second half of the season. According to Miami’s Week 9 Injury Report, three Fins players will not take the field this week against the New York Jets, while the remaining four members are listed as “questionable.”
Jordan Cameron Misses Fifth-Straight Game
Another NFL week that passes symbolizes yet another game in which tight end Jordan Cameron will not play due to a concussion suffered Sept. 25 versus the Cleveland Browns. This will be the fifth consecutive game that Cameron misses, and folks are beginning to wonder whether he will ever step foot on an NFL field again.
According to various reports, Cameron is still in the early stages of the NFL’s concussion protocol program. Cameron has met with several specialists regarding his history of concussions and subsequent migraines, but has made no progress.
What’s most concerning about that is that he hasn’t even reached the point where he’s allowed to practice, meaning it’s not unlikely that he could miss the remainder of the 2016 NFL season.
Dion Sims Suddenly Ruled Out
In the case of Dion Sims, the week got off to a promising start and then took a turn for the worst. After missing Miami’s Week 7 win over the Bills due to a concussion, Sims was cleared to practice with the team without any limitations during the bye.
The former Spartan would do just that, as he participated in full team practices on Wednesday and Thursday of this week. However, Sims failed to pass the NFL’s concussion protocol and was only able to partake in Friday’s practice on a limited basis before being ruled out.
“I do think by Sunday, and then certainly past Sunday, he should be back to full speed,” said Dolphins offensive coordinator, Clyde Christensen regarding Sims return. “(We’re) hoping again, obviously, that we wouldn’t have a setback of any kind, and he hasn’t had one.”
Fins Address Shortage At Tight End Position
With Cameron’s future uncertain and Sims unavailable for a second straight game, the Dolphins have had to get creative in order to fill the void at the tight end position. In Week 7 against Buffalo, offensive tackle Sam Young was asked to line up at tight end in order to help out with blocking as a third-string tight end.
There have also been talks about potentially promoting former seventh-round draft pick (tight end) Thomas Duarte from the practice squad. Nevertheless, until Sims can return from injury, Dolphins coach Adam Gase will have no choice but to depend on tight ends MarQueis Gray and Dominique Jones. Even though either one of them recorded a single catch in Miami’s victory over the Bills, they contributed with solid blocking, which enabled running back Jay Ajayi rush for 214 yards.
“You usually have a guy that either does one or the other,” Dolphins coach Adam Gase explained the difference between blocking tight ends and those that are biggest threats as receivers. “[Dion Sims] does have the ability in the passing game, probably to do more than what we’ve really given him the opportunity to do. Anytime his number has been called, he’s made plays.”
Miami Dolphins’ Injury Report & Game Statuses (2016 NFL Week 9)
Out:
- (CB) Xavien Howard (Knee) -- Did Not Participate In Practice
- (TE) Dion Sims (Concussion) -- Full Participation in Practice
- (TE) Jordan Cameron (Concussion) -- Did Not Participate In Practice
Questionable:
- (G/T) Laremy Tunsil (Abdomen) -- Full Participation in Practice
- (OL) Jermon Bushrod (Shoulder) -- Full Participation in Practice
- (S) Isa Abdul-Quddus (Ankle) -- Limited Participation in Practice
- (WR) DeVante Parker (Hamstring) -- Full Participation in Practice
Post Author: Abraham Gutierrez.
