Gesicki works; game status unclear
Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki was active in practice for a second consecutive day but is questionable for Sunday against the New England Patriots.
More good news on the Dolphins injury front. For a second consecutive day, tight end Mike Gesicki was active in practice as he progresses from a shoulder injury sustained in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Gesicki caught passes during the portion of practice open to media late Friday morning.
Whether he plays Sunday against the New England Patriots is still up in the air. Coach Brian Flores said Gesicki is questionable for the game, as are wide receivers DeVante Parker and Jakeem Grant as they deal with hamstring injuries.
But the fact that Gesicki practiced the past two days, albeit in limited fashion, was encouraging for Flores after the way Gesicki exited Sunday’s game against the Chiefs.
“It’s important to him that he gets out there and plays with his teammates,” Flores said, also noting that he’s not sure at this point if Gesicki will eventually need surgery to repair his shoulder. “He’s doing everything he can like all our guys who are banged up to get out there and give himself an opportunity. We’ll see how it goes.”
Gesicki is in the midst of a breakout season, his third with the Dolphins.
His 602 receiving yards and six touchdown catches are already career highs, as are his eight catches of at least 20 yards. His 44 catches through 13 games are seven shy of his career high.
He has also become a favorite target of rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who has thrown Gesicki’s way 17 times during the past two games. Gesicki caught 14 of those 17 passes, racking up 153 yards and three touchdowns.
“He’s made a couplegood one-handed catches that we haven’t seen from the other guys,” tight ends coach George Godsey said earlier this week of Gesicki.
“Each day in practice, we see what everybody’s capable of, but we’re confident in that group. It’s a diverse group like we’ve talked about. ... You don’t know what could happen — a shoe could come off, there’s a bunch of different variables that could happen — so all the guys prep as if they’re going to play and then it’s just a matter of who’s out there.”
If Gesicki can’t go? Look for a combination of Durham Smythe and Adam Shaheen to carry the load. Neither is as athletic or imposing in the passing game as Gesicki, but the
duo has combined for 25 catches, 249 yards and five touchdowns this season.
“We know in this league that injuries are a part of the game,” Godsey said, “so depending on Mike’s status ... if he’s there, great. If he’s not, it’s the next guy up. We’ve had that issue at other positions and guys have stepped up, so I think just from an offensive perspective, our guys are ready to step into a role if their number is called.”
More practice and
● injury updates from the portion of practice open to pool reporters: Wide receiver Antonio Callaway
returned to practice after not being present Thursday (not injury related). Grant, Parker, safety Bobby McCain (ankle), and linebackers Kyle Van Noy (hip) and Elandon Roberts (chest) all practiced as well. Running back Salvon Ahmed is out of the red non-contact jersey. Offensive lineman Ereck Flowers appeared to be limited. The only player absent: Running back Myles Gaskin, who is on the reserve/ COVID-19 list.