Dion Sims hasn’t played since the Miami Dolphins’ 17-10 Week 1 victory against the Washington Redskins. The tight end has been suffering from a concussion and he didn’t pass the concussion protocol in the team’s last three games.
In his absence, the Dolphins signed rookie Jake Stoneburner from the team’s practice squad. But Miami interim head coach Dan Campbell believes Sims brings another element to Miami’s offense.
“I believe that losing Dion (Sims) over the first four weeks has had an impact on us offensively, a negative impact. There are a lot of things that Dion opens up for us as far as run game. He’s done a good job in protection.”
While tight ends mostly make their name passing the football in this era. Sims believes he can help the Dolphins will their issues running the ball.
“We have to establish the run and the offense has to be balanced,” said Sims. “We can’t be one-dimensional.”
Miami currently ranks 31st in rushing offense, but the team hasn’t been committed to running the football. Lamar Miller, who finished last season 10th in the league in rushing with 1,099, has 131 yards on 37 carries this season. Miller is only averaging 9.25 carries per game in 2015, so the Dolphins need to give him more opportunities to touch the football.
Tennessee’s defense has given up an average of 117 rushing yards per game, which ranks 23rd in the NFL. Even if the Dolphins use a committee of Miller, Damien Williams and Jonas Gray, the team will need to run the ball Sunday to prevent third and long situations.
Other News and Notes from Thursday
After not practicing on Wednesday, Dolphins linebacker Chris McClain participated fully in practice on Thursday. Dolphins also had some players that were limited in practice.
Tackle Branden Albert, defensive end Cameron Wake, defensive tackle A.J. Francis and cornerbacks Brent Grimes and Zack Bowman were listed as limited on the team’s injury report.
Grimes and Wake will more than likely play against the Titans. Francis will probably be inactive for the Dolphins trip to Nashville, so that leaves Albert and Bowman.
Albert still hasn’t recovered from the hamstring injury he suffered earlier this season and he has missed the Dolphins last two games against the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets.
Bowman is the fourth corner on Miami’s depth chart. With Grimes not 100 percent, the Dolphins will need Bowman against Tennessee in limited snaps.
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