Miami’s 1st depth chart lists Gore as possible starter at running back
Tailback Frank Gore has spent the past 12 seasons in the NFL as a starter, and it appears the Miami Dolphins will give this potential future Hall of Famer a legitimate chance to keep that streak alive.
Even though Kenyan Drake has spent the past two weeks working with the first-team offense, the Dolphins’ first official depth chart Sunday listed the former 49ers running back as a co-starter by designating an “OR” between Gore and Drake’s name.
That’s significant because it means Gore has been pushing Drake during practices and in team meetings. Head coach Adam Gase consistently has praised Gore for practice performances, even though his snaps have been limited.
The Dolphins likely will keep Gore out of games this preseason, which begins with a home game against the Buccaneers on Thursday night, so it will be intriguing to see how this competition between him and Drake gets decided.
Gore has rushed for 14,026 yards in 13 NFL seasons. He spent his first 10 seasons with the 49ers and the past three with the Colts, with whom he rushed for 961 yards (3.7 yards per carry) and three touchdowns in 2017 on 261 carries. He also caught 29 passes for 245 yards and one touchdown.
Gore, 35, is fifth on the NFL’s all-time rushing list, just 75 yards behind No. 4 Curtis Martin, a Hall of Famer. Gore trails the No. 3 tailback, Barry Sanders, another Hall of Famer, by 1,243 rushing yards.
Last season, Miami rushed for 1,388 yards, and had the NFL’s fewest rushing attempts (360). The Dolphins tied with Pittsburgh for the fewest rushing touchdowns (four) in 2017.
Drake, a 2016 third-round pick, emerged as the team’s starter in the final five games and led the NFL with 444 rushing yards over that stretch. He finished the 2017 season with 644 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 133 carries, and caught 32 passes for 239 yards and one touchdown.