Rookie TE ready for more
Gesicki eager for next step in development
DAVIE — With starting tight end A.J. Derby unlikely to play Sunday against the New England Patriots due to a foot injury, rookie Mike Gesicki is preparing to step in to fill Derby’s role.
“Just kind of the nextman-up mentality,” Gesicki said.
“We’ve got a lot of talent in our tight-end room. So I don’t really know what the deal is with A.J., but obviously would love to have him out there.
“But if not, the rest of the guys have to step up and make plays.”
Gesicki, the Dolphins’ second-round pick in this year’s draft, has played in all three games this season and has four catches for 42 yards. He’s yet to score a touchdown.
Three of those catches and 31 of those yards came in Sunday’s 28-20 victory over the Oakland Raiders. Dolphins coach Adam Gase said Gesicki impressed him with his performance and his demeanor.
“I think he grew a lot this game,” Gase said. “I saw some good things. I saw some things, aggressionwise, that we’ve been waiting for.”
The rookie tight end said he’s learning the Dolphins’ offense with help from quarterback Ryan Tannehill and Derby.
“This is a very complex offense, so my goal is to get where Ryan’s at,” Gesicki said.
“Obviously, it’s going to take years and years and a lot of time, a lot of effort into that. But when I can have that same mindset and that same mentality out on the field, the only option you have is to play fast.”
Gesicki was a scoring threat while at Penn State, racking up 15 career touchdowns and 1,481 receiving yards.
Three games into his NFL career, the rookie said he’s slowly starting to get adjusted to the NFL.
“It’s starting to continue to progress, get more comfortable out there,” Gesicki said. “Just continue to start to play faster, think less.”
Dolphins safety Reshad Jones, who was inactive against the Raiders with a shoulder injury, went through a number of defensive drills Wednesday as a limited participant alongside teammates in practice.
Jones could likely return to action for the Dolphins (3-0) when they face the Patriots (1-2).
“I feel real good,” Jones said after practice. “I’m just going to take it day-by-day, a day at a time, and see how I feel come Friday, later on in the week.”
Longtime Dolphins defensive end Cameron Wake did not practice, sitting out with a knee injury.
Gase said Wake is among the group of Dolphins players “banged up” after the win over the Raiders.
“We’re taking it one day at a time right now,” Gase said when asked about Wake.
Gase said it was his decision to make Jones inactive for the game, although Jones may have wanted to play.
Gase said Jones was not at full strength, still sore from suffering the injury in the Week 2 win over the New York Jets, adding Jones and Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch have a knack to “find each other” when they play.
“He practiced [Wednesday] so that’s a good sign for us,” Gase said of Jones. “We’ll just keep evaluating him after every practice and see how he feels, and once we get closer to the game, we’ll have a better idea.”
Two other Dolphins in addition to Derby did not practice due to injuries: defensive end Andre Branch (knee) and linebacker Chase Allen (foot).
Other players listed on Miami’s injury report but who were full participants on Wednesday: quarterback Ryan Tannehill (right shoulder), defensive tackle Davon Godchaux (ankle), cornerback Bobby McCain (shoulder) and long-snapper John Denney (shoulder).