Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Jones’ return to secondary a ‘strong possibility,’ bodes well with McCain out
DAVIE — The Miami Dolphins secondary may have to play without an injured starter for an indefinite amount of time this season.
But if the Dolphins can sense an encouraging sign after all of the injuries sustained, it’s the possibility of once again being at full strength again at some point later this season.
In the meantime, Dolphins Pro Bowl safety Reshad Jones is likely to return from a two-game absence due to a shoulder injury, and play in Sunday’s Week 5 matchup against the Bengals.
“It’s a long season, and I think it was best for me to sit out those two weeks,” Jones said from his locker on Thursday, before adding “it’s a strong possibility” he will play against in Cincinnati.
Jones aggravated his shoulder in the Dolphins’ Week 2 road win against the Jets, a week after accounting for two interceptions this season in the season opener. He has practiced before Dolphins games in Week 3 and 4, but has been ultimately held out to regain his shoulder strength.
Jones’ expected return bodes well for the Dolphins secondary, which will likely be without start-
ing cornerback Bobby McCain, who suffered a knee injury in last week’s blowout loss to the Patriots in New England.
“The biggest thing for us right now is that we do hold it down until they get back,” safety T.J. McDonald said. “I think it’s going to help us depth-wise. But when they do return, we’ll pick up where we left off. But it’s definitely encouraging knowing that you’ll get guys back.”
With Jones sidelined, the Dolphins shifted rookie Minkah Fitzpatrick into a safety role alongside McDonald, while Maurice Smith joined the mix in nickel formations.
With McCain now out, the Dolphins will lean on second-year players in Torry McTyer and Cordrea Tankersley to play opposite Xavien Howard.
McTyer played in 52 snaps against the Patriots last week after McCain left the game before halftime.
During the preseason, McTyer gained control of the starting cornerback job over Tankersley, before the Dolphins decided to start McCain at cornerback to get Fitzpatrick on the field in nickel packages.
“I’m just taking it one day at a time,” McTyer said. “Whoever is out there is deserving. Whatever coach decides to do with that, I’m just going out there and doing what they’re telling me to do.”
Tankersley, who started 11 games as a rookie but played poorly this preseason, may also have an opportunity to regain favor with the Dolphins coaches.
Dolphins coach Adam Gase and defensive coordinator Matt Burke have both said Tankersley, who has been inactive twice this season, needs to continue improving in practice to regain their trust.
Tankersley was on the wrong end of several big plays during the second preseason game against the Carolina Panthers, where receivers Curtis Samuel and Damiere Byrd made impressive catches that may have affected his standing.
“I don’t think anything went wrong. It’s just everyone talking about that one game – that Carolina game,” Tankersley said. “Obviously, I gave up some big plays, but it wasn’t like I was blowing stuff. Those guys made great catches. I was there. I just had to finish.”
As for the secondary as a whole, the Dolphins have played well despite their circumstances.
After four games, Miami leads the NFL with nine interceptions – a credit to their commitment to forcing turnovers and winning the turnover battle. The Dolphins had nine interceptions all of last season.
Jones believes when they return to full strength, the Dolphins secondary could be special.
“With Bobby going down, it’s just next man up,” Jones said. “We’ve got a good group, a good secondary. I know Bobby is doing everything he can to get back, but I think when we’re all out there, we have the best secondary in the league.”