Six starters could miss Bengals game
DAVIE – It is possible that the Miami Dolphins could play the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday without six of the team’s season-opening starters.
Starting defensive end Cameron Wake is listed as doubtful after missing the entire week of practice with a lingering knee injury. Starting cornerback Bobby McCain (knee) and tight end A.J. Derby (foot) have been ruled out.
“We’re hoping we can get as many guys back as we possibly can. We’ll see how it plays out,” coach Adam Gase said. “We’re at the point where everyone [in the NFL] is banged up. The team we’re playing [the Bengals] had a lot of injuries last week. We’re trying to find bodies to make sure you can fill out that active roster….This is football. That’s what happens.”
Wake, who has started 31 straight games for the Dolphins the past three seasons, will likely be replaced by Charles Harris or Jonathan Woodard as the starter working opposite Robert Quinn. Also, newly signed defensive end Cameron Malveaux will likely play significant snaps because of Andre Branch’s knee injury and the release of Jordan Phillips.
Harris, the Dolphins’ 2017 first-round pick who has one tackle in the first four games, will likely replace Wake as the team’s situational pass rusher.
Travis Swanson replaces Daniel Kilgore, who suffered a season-ending triceps injury in last week’s loss to the Patriots, as the starting center.
It’s also possible that safety Reshad Jones and receiver DeVante Parker will be sidelined because of their lingering injuries.
McCain has missed the entire week because of a left knee injury he suffered against the Patriots. He will likely be replaced by Torry McTyer or Cordrea Tankersley as the boundary cornerback who starts opposite Xavien Howard.
Parker (quadriceps) and Derby (foot) sat out last week's game because of injuries, and their status for Sunday remains questionable. Parker has participated in this week’s practices on a limited basis. If Parker doesn’t play, Albert Wilson would start and Jakeem Grant would get more snaps.
Rookie tight ends Mike Gesicki and Durham Smythe will likely handle the snaps on passing downs, but offensive tackle Sam Young could handle the blocking duties like he did last week.
Jones, who has missed the past two games with a shoulder injury, has practiced without limitations all week and is optimistic that he’ll play on Sunday.
If he does, Minkah Fitzpatrick would likely return to the nickel cornerback spot. Fitzpatrick started his second straight game at free safety last week but moved to the nickel spot when the Patriots used three receivers, allowing Maurice Smith to play free safety for the first time this season.
Safety T.J. McDonald (foot), linebacker Chase Allen (foot), linebacker Stephone Anthony (hamstring), tailback Brandon Bolden (hamstring) and safety Walt Aikens (hamstring) all participated in Friday’s practice .