Flores just ‘OK’ with showing at practice

DAVIE — Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores didn’t seem too pleased with his team’s performance in practice this week, describing the week’s sessions as “OK” heading into Sunday’s road game against the Indianapolis Colts.

Flores is usually upbeat about his team, which pulled off its first victory Sunday against the New York Jets.

That raises the question of whether Flores’ team is riding the high of the season’s first win and took its foot off the gas, or if the mounting injuries and Mark Walton’s recent suspension has watered down an already-thin roster.

Flores made the lukewarm assessment when addressing how Miami’s receivers have performed this week as the offense works to replace rookie Preston Williams, who suffered a season-ending left knee injury Sunday.

Albert Wilson, Jakeem Grant and Allen Hurns are expected to fill the void created by Williams’ absence.

“They all have their specific roles and each guy knows they are going to have to step up to fill Preston’s shoes,” said Flores, whose offense ranks 30th in total yards per game (262.3) and points scored (12.8).

“These are competitive guys and I think they are fired up about the opportunity.”

Grant, who has played through a foot and leg injury since training camp and is now nursing a toe injury, has caught 14 passes for 117 yards.

Wilson, who is primarily used as a slot receiver, has caught 10 passes for 58 yards and one touchdown, while Hurns has caught 11 passes for 138 yards and one touchdown.

Kalen Ballage, who is averaging 2 yards per carry this season, is expected to replace Walton at running back. Rookie tailback Patrick Laird is also expected to get into the mix, playing his first offensive snaps.

“It’s exciting, but I’m treating this week like every week this season — just come in, prepare, learn the game plan and try to execute in practice,” said Laird, who gained 114 rushing yards and scored two touchdowns on 25 carries during the preseason. “I felt solid about my preseason performance and the coaches had good feedback for me.”

Offensive

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Dolphins have used six different starting lineups on the offensive line in eight games, and Sunday’s game might produce a seventh.

The interior of Miami’s offensive line could undergo a few changes based on the availability of Daniel Kilgore, the Dolphins’ starting center, and Evan Boehm, who has started five games at either center or right guard.

Kilgore has missed the past three games because of a right knee sprain, and Boehm has been his replacement. But both offensive linemen are listed as questionable against the Colts.

Flores seemed pessimistic about Kilgore’s status a day after expressing optimism about his return to the field.

Boehm has been battling a which has limited his participation.

Chris Reed, the team’s top backup at the interior spot, is an option to replace either player. And Keaton Sutherland, a rookie Miami claimed off the waiver wire in late September, started last week against the Jets.

Shaq Calhoun has started two games at right guard but wasn’t active last week because Flores said the rookie from Mississippi State hit “the rookie wall,” indicating that his practice performance dipped last week. hip injury, practice

Injury update: Dolphins safety Reshad Jones participated in a full week of practice but wasn’t cleared to play because of the chest injury that has sidelined him the past three games.

That means Eric Rowe and Jomal Wiltz, two cornerbacks, will likely continue to split the safety workload, working opposite Bobby McCain.

Starting defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, who had his practice participation limited all week because of a shoulder injury he suffered against the Jets, is listed as questionable. If Godchaux doesn’t play, the Dolphins would likely be forced to call up one of the two defensive tackles — Gerald Willis and Frank Herron — on the practice squad because of the team’s limited depth at that position.

Defensive end Avery Moss, who has missed the past three games because of a right ankle injury he suffered in a loss to the Redskins, is listed as questionable.

Cornerback Ken Webster, who is also nursing an ankle injury, was ruled out.