Stills’ ankle injury opens window for others
DAVIE — Kenny Stills is being put on ice.
The Miami Dolphins held Stills out of Sunday’s practice because of a left ankle injury the starting receiver apparently suffered in Thursday’s 26-24 preseason loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Coach Adam Gase said he’s in no rush to get the team’s starting flanker back, saying the team will be “smart about this,” referring to the injury.
“He tried to go out there today. I want to make sure that he’s healthy before we put [him on the field],” Gase said. “I don’t want this to be a thing that’s going into the season, or we’re four weeks in and he’s still hurt.”
One of Gase’s priorities this camp has been to get Ryan Tannehill, the team’s starting quarterback, comfortable playing with Albert Wilson, a free agent addition, and Jakeem Grant, one of the team’s top playmakers in camp.
Because there will likely be injuries, Gase is certain that Wilson, who caught two passes for 31 yards against the Buccaneers, and Grant will get a ton of playing time this season. That’s why he’s convinced each receiver needs to develop chemistry with Tannehill.
Sitting Stills out of this week’s practice, and possibly Friday night’s preseason road game against the Carolina Panthers, might speed up that process.
Stills, who caught 58 passes for 847 yards and six touchdowns last season, has played every game the past three seasons he’s spent with the Dolphins. He’s also a returning team captain, and Miami’s most polished receiver, so there’s little concern about him falling behind on offensive installations.
Gase said he plans to use Stills absence to work on different personnel groups, and packages that cater to Wilson, a physical receiver who excels in the run after catch department, and Grant, whose sub 4.3 second 40-time speed threatens cornerbacks.
“This usually happens — especially with wide outs in trainingcamp— you usually have one or two that miss time and then the next guy has to step up,” Gase said. “Sometimes it’s good because now, you get thrown in the fire. You have to know what to do, so that’s why everybody has to stay up on it.”