Howard could miss Pats game
CB sits out 2nd straight practice with sore knee
DAVIE — The Miami Dolphins’ chances of an AFC playoff berth are teetering on each of the final four games this season. And there is a good chance they could be without their best player as they aim to make a final push.
Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard did not practice on Thursday, and his return from a left knee injury does not seem imminent.
It is likely Howard, the NFL leader with seven interceptions this season, will not play for the Dolphins (6-6) in Sunday’s game against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots (10-3) in Hard Rock Stadium.
“We have to see how fast a healer he is. We have to make sure we do the right thing for him,” Gase said of Howard. “When he’s ready to go, he’ll be ready to go. We can’t put him in a bad position.”
Gase did not want to say whether Howard needed surgery to rectify the injury suffered against the Bills last week.
Howard took a hit to the left knee after being tackled on a return for his second interception against Buffalo.
Howard’s performance marked the second straight game he had two interceptions, and the fifth time in his career that he has secured two interceptions in a game.
The first came against Brady and the Patriots last season.
“I don’t know how this is going to go,” Gase added on Howard, the AFC defensive player of the week.
“We’re going to do what’s best for him.”
Howard missed practice for the second day in a row, although Gase said Howard was able to watch practice and get a gist of the Dolphins’ game plan against the Patriots.
When Gase was asked if Howard needed to undergo a procedure, Gase said the Dolphins prefer to keep such topics as “in-house” manners.
“I’m not getting into all that stuff,” Gase said.
Gase said Wednesday that Howard is considered “week-to-week” with the injury.
After the game against the Patriots, the Dolphins will visit the Vikings on Dec. 16, host the Jaguars on Dec. 23 and travel to Buffalo on Dec. 30 to end the season.
“We think he’ll be back at some point this season,” Gase said on Wednesday. “If it’s this week, next week, the week after that — I don’t know.”
Howard has 11 interceptions in his last 17 games, and could be in line for his first Pro Bowl and a new contract at the end of the season.