Swanson returns; Amendola is still out

DAVIE – Miami Dolphins center Travis Swanson on Thursday tested out the sprained right ankle he suffered in Miami’s 27-24 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, which raises the likelihood that the fifthyear veteran will be able play in Sunday’s home game against the Buffalo Bills.

Receiver Danny Amendola, who injured his right knee against he Colts but played through the injury, was held out of his second straight practice.

If Amendola, who leads the Dolphins with 48 receptions for 469 yards and one touchdown, can’t play against the Bills, the Dolphins would likely use Kenny Stills to replace him in the slot, or play Isaiah Ford in his first regularseason game.

Ford, a 2017 seventhround pick the Dolphins have been developing on the practice squad, has spent all season serving as Amendola’s understudy at the slot, which is the inside receiver. He was promoted to Miami’s 53-man roster on Wednesday.

Jake Brendel, who started his second game at left guard last week, filled in for Swanson against the Colts, and would likely start in his place if Swanson isn’t cleared to play by team doctors.

That leaves Ted Larsen, who has started eight games this season but is battling a neck injury, Wesley Johnson, a fifth-year veteran, and Isaac Asiata, a 2017 fifth-round pick who was recently promoted from the practice squad, competing to play left guard.

Larsen’s practice participation was limited because of his knee injury.

Swanson, who was signed in September, became a starter when Daniel Kilgore suffered a season-ending triceps injury after the first four games.

Injury update: Left tackle Laremy Tunsil (knee) and

right tackle Ja’Wuan

James (knee) each had their practice participation limited Thursday because of their injuries. But both are expected to play against the Buffalo Bills.… Cornerback Xavien Howard (ankle), Bobby McCain (knee), cornerback Cornell Armstrong

(knee) practiced without limitations despite their injuries. Receiver DeVante Parker (shoulder),

tight end A.J. Derby (foot/

knee) and tailback Kenyan

Drake (shoulder) were

limited.