Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
McCain still in concussion protocol
DAVIE – Dolphins cornerback Bobby McCain participated in Tuesday’s practice ahead of Sunday’s crucial road game against the Indianapolis Colts.
According to team officials, McCain remains in the NFL concussion protocol program, which means he hasn’t been cleared to play against the Colts (5-5). However, participating in a practice is part of the protocol, and it’s likely that McCain, who has started seven of the eight games he’s played in this season, will be cleared before Sunday.
McCain was knocked out of the game by a Packers receiver during Miami’s 31-12 loss to Green Bay on Nov. 11. The bye-week rest likely allowed his concussion symptoms to subside.
McCain’s availability is critical to Miami’s defense because he’s spent most of this season serving as the boundary cornerback lined up on the opposite side of Xavien Howard. He’s also the top nickel cornerback on the roster.
McCain has 35 tackles, one interception and has broken up five passes for a defense that is holding opposing quarterbacks to a cumulative 89.6 passer rating.
Minkah Fitzpatrick, the Dolphins’ 2018 first-round pick, has been playing on the boundary, at free safety and nickel cornerback the past two weeks, and it’s likely that he’ll continue playing all three roles even if McCain returns.
The only other cornerbacks Miami has on the 53-man roster are Torry McTyer and rookie Cornell Armstrong, with safety Walt Aikens having played both positions throughout his five seasons.
Starting tackles practice: Laremy Tunsil and Ja’Wuan James, the Dolphins’ starting offensive tackles, participated in Tuesday’s session, which indicates they are close to being cleared to play.
Tunsil, who injured his left knee in Miami’s 13-6 win over the New York Jets, and James, who injured his right knee in that game, were both held out against the Packers. The Dolphins felt the rest heading into the bye week would benefit them.
Tunsil and James practiced on a limited basis all week leading up to the Packers game, but were ruled out by coach Adam
Gase.
If Tunsil and James don’t play Sunday, Zach
Sterup and Sam Young would serve as their replacements.
Ted Larsen, who was held out of the Packers game because of a neck injury, also participated in practice. Jake Brendel started his first NFL game as Larsen’s replacement two weeks ago, and could hold that spot with a strong week of practice.
“It got to the point where we needed to rest him and just see how his body recovers,” Gase said. “Getting through the bye week, we’ve got (Larsen) on a little program right now to build him back up and really see where he is when it comes Sunday.” Injury update: Tailback Kenyan Drake and receiver DeVante Parker, who both suffered a shoulder injury against the Packers, participated in practice wearing a red jersey, indicating they shouldn’t be touched.
Whether their practice participation was limited is unclear.
“The fact that they’re out there and they’re working is good. We just wanted to make sure that nobody (hits them),” Gase said. “I think going through individual and then getting some team snaps, that was good.”
The goal is to get both starters healthy enough to play on Sunday, and Parker’s optimistic about playing through his shoulder injury. He said the pain “comes and goes.” Defensive end Charles
Harris participated in practice, which means he’ll likely return from the calf injury that has sidelined him for more than a month.