South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
Grugier-Hill to miss critical game
Defender and special teams standout is out against the Bills with a non-COVID-19 illness
The Miami Dolphins will be without a key backup defender and valuable special teams contributor for the season finale.
Dolphins linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill did not travel with the team Saturday due to an illness and will miss Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills at Orchard Park, N.Y.
Grugier-Hill’s illness is not related to COVID-19, according to a league source.
That distinction is important regarding the Dolphins after veteran backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this week.
Fitzpatrick also will miss the Bills game, leaving former St. Thomas Aquinas standout Jake Rudock as the Dolphins’ backup quarterback behind rookie starter Tua Tagovailoa.
The Dolphins (10-5) need a win to clinch a playoff berth. If Miami loses, it will need a loss by the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens or Indianapolis Colts on Sunday to reach the postseason.
Grugier-Hill, who played in all 15 games this season, is the second linebacker the Dolphins will be without on Sunday. Starter Elandon Roberts suffered a season-ending knee injury against the Las Vegas Raiders last week.
Behind starting inside linebacker Jerome Baker, the Dolphins will depend on secondyear backup Sam Eguavoen, who played a significant role last season, and special teams contributor Calvin Munson against the Bills.
Edge rushers Kyle Van Noy and Andrew Van Ginkel round out the Dolphins linebackers group.
The Dolphins enter the game with four players listed as questionable against the Bills:
■ Leading receiver DeVante Parker is expected to play after missing the last two games due to a hamstring injury.
■ Starting defensive end Shaq Lawson likely will return against the Bills, who drafted him in the first round of the 2016 NFL draft, after missing the Raiders game due to a shoulder injury.
■ Receiver and return specialist Jakeem Grant has a high ankle sprain that may keep him out of Sunday’s game.
■ Rookie offensive lineman Solomon Kindley, who started 13 games this season, is dealing with knee and foot injuries, but the Dolphins are hopeful he is healthy enough to return.
If Kindley does play, the Dolphins must decide whether to sit veteran right guard Jesse Davis. Left tackle Austin Jackson, left guard Ereck Flowers, center Ted Karras and right tackle Robert Hunt round out the offensive line.