Howard expects to play Monday
DAVIE — Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard got shut down by the team’s medical staff the past two weeks because of knee soreness that appears to be subsiding.
The discomfort surfaced during the Dolphins’ bye week, and the team has been cautious about how much they’ve pushed the 2018 Pro Bowl pick during practices.
Howard before the tested out the injured knee past two games, but wasn’t cleared to play against the Redskins or Buffalo Bills.
Howard, who has contributed 16 tackles and one pass breakup this season, claims he’s “feeling better” after being limited during practice and undergoing intense rehabilitation for the past three weeks.
That’s the reason he expects to play in Monday night’s nationally televised game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he’ll likely be called on to shadow JuJu
Washington
been Miami’s best pass catcher out of the backfield. But Drake has also fallen behind secondyear back Kalen Ballage in goalline situations, where Ballage has scored a rushing touchdown in each of the last two games.
Drake, who will be an unrestricted free agent after this season, leads the Dolphins with 174 yards rushing and is second with 174 yards receiving through six games.
Drake’s negotiations for a contract extension have stalled — an indication Miami may be ready to move on from their 2016 thirdround pick.
Drake has seen two other Dolphins in his draft class — cornerback Xavien Howard and receiver Jakeem Grant — agree to contract extensions before this season.
Another player in Drake’s draft class, former first-round pick Laremy Tunsil, was traded before the season, along with receiver Kenny Stills, to the Houston Texans in a package that included a 2020 first-round pick, a 2021 firstround pick and a 2021 secondround pick.
Flores said his conversations with Drake this week have been focused on the Steelers.
“Look, I can’t sit here and predict the future, but yeah I do,” Flores said when asked if he expects Drake to remain with the team.
“He’s been productive for us. He’s a good player. And that’s what I expect.”
Defensive lineman Michael Bennett has tallied 21⁄2 sacks so far this season and 651⁄2 in his career.