Because of the possibility of Hurricane Matthew touching down in South Florida, the Miami Dolphins closed their facilities on Thursday. The team wasn’t scheduled to practice since the Dolphins practiced on Tuesday and Wednesday and they’re scheduled to practice Friday.
Even though they didn’t practice, the Dolphins are required to release an injury report for Thursday. The injury report is the same as it was on Wednesday.
Miami didn’t anticipate tackle Branden Albert (ankle/illness), tight end Jordan Cameron (concussion), cornerback Xavien Howard (knee) and Jelani Jenkins (groin) practicing. Albert missed the Dolphins last game against the Cincinnati Bengals because of an ankle injury. He has been suffering from an illness this week and had yet to practice with the team, but Albert has been in the field off meetings with the club.
Cameron is still recovering from a concussion he suffered against the Cleveland Browns two weeks ago. Miami did sign tight end Dominique Jones this week, so that isn’t a good sign that Cameron will return anytime soon. Cameron has had at least four concussions in his career and it is still unknown if he will ever play again.
Howard re-aggravated the same knee he had surgery on prior to training camp and he has been shut down while being further evaluated. If Howard cannot play on Sunday, the team will have to turn to Byron Maxwell, who the team benched before the Bengals game.
Dolphins head coach Adam Gase said on Wednesday that if Maxwell is inserted back into the starting lineup, he still expects him to handle it like a professional.
“This is not the first time anybody’s ever been a starter, then dressed for the game and not played, and then had another opportunity to go back on the field,” Gase said. “That’s what makes this game a little tougher than what a lot of people give it credit for, as far as you have to come to work every day, and when your number is called, you need to be ready to go. I’ve always expected him, no matter what has happened, to come out, compete every day in practice, and then when his opportunity comes in games, we’re looking for him to make plays.
Jenkins has been dealing with a number of injuries this season and he also missed the Dolphins last game against the Bengals because of a groin injury.
Arian Foster (hamstring), linebacker Koa Misi (neck), Mike Pouncey, (hip) and Anthony Steen (ankle) were listed as limited on Thursday’s injury report.
Foster practiced on a limited basis on Wednesday as he participated in limited drills. Gase said the team doesn’t want to rush Foster back only for him re-aggravate his hamstring.
Misi also was limited in practice as he one of many Dolphins that missed the game against the Bengals.
Pouncey practiced this week for the first time since the preseason as he has been out with a hip injury. The center said he intends to play in his first regular season game this week against the Tennessee Titans.
Steen was also limited in practice on Wednesday as he has a high ankle sprain.
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