Even after bye week, roster still ‘dinged up’
The Miami Dolphins have listed 11 players as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Washington Redskins.
Even after their Week 5 bye, some Dolphins players are still dealing with some lingering injuries suffered during their 0-4 start.
While some of the 11 players are expected to play, Dolphins coach Brian Flores says final decisions on their availability will likely be made closer to Sunday’s 1 p.m. kickoff at Hard Rock Stadium.
“A lot of guys are dinged up, and that’s kind of how it is for every team. That’s the game. Guys are dinged up, playing through it, fighting through it, doing everything so they can get back,” Flores said after Friday’s practice.
“It’s really par for the course in the National Football League. It’s a hard, aggressive, physical game and guys get dinged up. It’s normal to have a lot of guys on the injury report.”
Dolphins running back Kalen Ballage became the newest member on Miami’s injury report Friday, making a limited practice appearance due to a foot injury. He was a full participant in practice on Wednesday and Thursday.
The other questionable players for Sunday’s game include cornerback Xavien Howard (knee), safety Bobby McCain (shoulder/ hamstring), starting offensive tackle Jesse Davis (elbow), receiver Albert Wilson (calf/hip), receiver/return specialist Jakeem Grant (hamstring), safety Reshad Jones (ankle), defensive backs Jomal Wiltz (groin) and Chris Lammons (toe), linebacker Trent Harris (foot) and cornerback Johnson Bademosi (ankle).
All 10 of those players were limited in practice on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Starting center Daniel Kilgore (knee) and defensive end Charles Harris (wrist) were also listed on the injury report, but were full participants in practice this week. Running back Mark Walton dealt with an illness Wednesday, but returned to full strength Thursday.
Flores did share optimism for at least two questionable players in Howard and Grant.
“We’ll see how that goes,” Flores said of Howard. “He’s been limited all week. He wants to play, and hopefully we have him out there.”
Flores is hopeful Grant, who handles kickoff and punt return duties, will play on Sunday. But Flores mentioned running back Kenyan Drake and receiver Preston Williams as candidates to help with punt returns.
Redskins name starting QB: The Redskins named Case Keenum as their starting quarterback for Sunday’s game, while rookie Dwayne Haskins will serve as the backup.
Keenum returns from a one-game absence after suffering a foot injury against the New York Giants on Sept. 29. Haskins threw three interceptions during his NFL debut in relief of Keenum during that game.