If someone would have told the Miami Dolphins prior to the season that after two weeks quarterback Ryan Tannehill would be their leading rusher, I’m sure they would have laughed. But Tannehill’s 52 rushing yards does in fact leads the team as the Dolphins rushing attack as been abysmal to say the least.
Free agent acquisition Arian Foster rushed for only 38 yards in the team’s 12-10 opening season loss to the Seattle Seahawks. In Week 2, Foster injured his groin and only rushed the ball three times for nine yards in last Sunday’s loss to the Patriots.
In their first two games, the Dolphins have rushed for a combined 134 rushing yards which ranks 27th in the NFL. Dolphins Offensive Coordinator Clyde Christensen said he isn’t too worried about the lack of the production of the running game so far.
“I wouldn’t use the word worried yet; but I feel anxious that we get it going,” Christensen said. “It makes everything easier. It’s really, really important. It’s important for our defense. I think we have not supported our defense. I know (Head Coach) Adam (Gase) said the same thing to you, but you almost can’t judge the defense in the fourth quarter because we haven’t done our part in the first three-quarters to keep them rested and fresh so they can play that fourth quarter.”
Jay Ajayi, who was once the No. 1 running back on the Dolphins depth chart has been a huge disappointment. After struggling in the preseason, Ajayi was inactive in Week 1 due to the decision of Dolphins head coach Adam Gase. Against the Patriots in Week 2, Ajayi finished with 14 yards on five carries and he fumbled on the Dolphins first drive after halftime.
“Jay knows that he can’t lay it on the ground, Christensen said. “That’s the first drive of the last preseason game and the first drive of the second half of this game. Those are big drives. Those are deflators. Those are turnovers plus. There’s no good time to have a fumble but the first drive of a game and the first drive of the third quarter, as the young guys say, a buzz kill. They are a buzz kill.”
During training camp, Christensen said the Dolphins wanted one player to win the running back instead of having a player by committee situation. Because of the lack of production in the first two weeks, Christensen’s status has changed.
“Yes, it probably has by necessity,” Christensen said. “It’s just kind of been an odd deal between injuries and different things coming up. I still think there’s nothing like continuity. We all know you have to be able to plug people in and go; but I think it still starts with continuity. The more guys can play together, the more looks I think a running back – kind of like a hitter in baseball – the more looks you get at it, the more you get in a game – the more throws a quarterback gets, the more into it he is. I think right now it is going to be by committee.”
Kenyan Drake receiving playing time last week against the Patriots is probably the only positive in the team’s running game. While relieving Foster last week, Drake scored his first touchdown of his career.
If Miami’s running game continues to struggle, there’s a chance the team could decide to put Drake in there just to see if he can get the team any positive yardage in that department.
Injury report for Thursday
Just like on Wednesday, Dolphins center Mike Pouncey and running back Arian Foster did not practice. Pouncey has still been bothered by a hip injury that he suffered during the second week of the preseason. Foster is still recovering from a groin injury.
Miami head coach Adam Gase said Pouncey is aggressive in the way he goes about rehabbing and that he has been telling the coach he is ready to play. If Pouncey cannot go, expect Anthony Steen to make his third straight start at center.
Cornerback Xavien Howard (knee), linebacker Jelani Jenkins (knee), defensive end Jason Jones, linebacker Koa Misi (shoulder), receiver DeVante Parker (hamstring) and linebacker Spencer Paysinger (neck) were all limited in practice on Thursday.
Twitter: @antwanstaley
