Defense could be minus 3 starters
Van Noy, Lawson questionable; Godchaux put on injured reserve
DAVIE — The Miami Dolphins could play Sunday’s home game without two of the team’s top pass rushers.
Linebacker Kyle Van Noy and defensive end Shaq Lawson are both listed as questionable for the 4:05 p.m. game against the 0-5 New York Jets.
Van Noy sustained a groin injury in last week’s 43-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers, and Lawson injured his shoulder the week before during a sack of Russell WIlson in Miami’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
Lawson practiced all week on a limited basis, and is hoping he’ll be cleared to play on Sunday.
“I’m taking it one day at a time. Just taking it one day at a time,” said Lawson, who has contributed nine tackles and one sack in the four games he’s played this season. Hopefully. I want to.”
Van Noy’s groin injury forced him to miss Wednesday’s practice, but he’s participated on a limited basis the past two sessions.
“We’ll just work through that. It may be a pregame workout. We’ll just see how they progress,” coach Brian Flores said when asked about Van Noy and Lawson.
It is possible that Van Noy, who has contributed 19 tackles, two sacks, forced two fumbles and recovered one in the five games he’s played this season, could hold a limited role in Sunday’s game.
After some NFL shuffling last week, the Dolphins (2-3) have their bye next week, and that break could give the versatile linebacker the time he needs for the soreness in his groin to subside.
A groin injury typically takes a month to heal properly, but many players attempt to play through the pain. However, groin strains usually limit a player’s ability to open up their hips and run at full speed.
Making matters worse, defensive tackle Davon Godchaux was placed on injured reserve on Friday because of the biceps injury he suffered against the 49ers.
Andrew Van Ginkel, a former Wisconsin standout the Dolphins selected in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL draft, has served as Van Noy’s top backup, and would likely replace him if the team captain is held out of Sunday’s game.
Van Ginkel started one of the five games he’s played this season, and has contributed 14 tackles, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble this season.
Van Ginkel got 46 snaps in last Sunday’s win over San Francisco, which is more than twice as many as his previous season high of 20 against Jacksonville.
Zach Sieler started last week in Lawson’s place, and will likely continue to play a prominent role, working at defensive end and defensive tackle. Raekwon Davis, the Dolphins’ 2020 secondround pick, will likely inherit Godchaux’s snaps. And there’s a possibility that Miami could use Jason Strowbridge for the rookie’s first game.
The former Deerfield Beach High standout the Dolphins selected in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL draft hasn’t been active any of Miami’s games.
Also listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Jets is tight end Durham Smythe, who has been nursing a knee injury for the past two weeks.
Adam Shaheen replaced Smythe as Miami’s in-line tight end, and scored his first touchdown of the season last week against the 49ers.