Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Injuries could deprive defense of 2 more key starters vs. Bills
DAVIE — The Miami Dolphins could be without two valuable defensive starters in Sunday’s division game against the Buffalo Bills.
Defensive end Taco Charlton, who leads Miami with four sacks, and linebacker Raekwon McMillan, who is second on the team with 55 tackles, are both questionable to play in Sunday’s 1 p.m. game at Hard Rock Stadium.
Dolphins coach Brian Flores said Charlton and McMillan will be game-time decisions. Both players practiced on a limited basis all week. Charlton is nursing a right elbow injury, while McMillan is dealing with a left knee injury.
“Both guys were dinged up last week and were somewhat limited this week. Those two guys, it’s going to be a game-time decision,” Flores said. “Both guys want to play and are working hard to get back out there.”
The Dolphins received some good news on the injury front as Flores said standout safety Reshad Jones and defensive end Avery Moss could play against the Bills.
Jones, who has missed four straight games, was a full participant in practice the past two days after dealing with a cracked rib.
Moss, a starter for much of the season before suffering an ankle injury, also was a full participant in practice the last two days.
“We’ve got a good chance of seeing both guys,” Flores said of Jones and Moss. “It’s a good shot we see those guys.”
Fourteen other players were listed on Miami’s injury report, but are expected to play Sunday: Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (right elbow), running back Kalen Ballage (neck/illness), right tackle Jesse Davis (elbow), defensive tackle Davon Godchaux (shoulder), receiver Jakeem Grant (toe/ Achilles), linebacker Trent Harris (foot), center Daniel Kilgore (knee), defensive back Chris Lammons (ankle/toe), safety Bobby McCain (shoulder), wide receiver DeVante Parker (calf ), tight end Durham Smythe (knee/elbow), defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (toe) and receiver Albert Wilson (hip/ankle).
“I think that’s the norm throughout the league,” Flores said of having so many players on the injury report. Miami’s game against Buffalo will mark the sixth in a stretch of 12 straight games the Dolphins will play to end the season following their bye in Week 5.
Dolphins defensive back Ken Webster, who suffered an ankle injury against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 7, did not practice again this week.
— Flores says he is still mulling the decision of whether to bring back offensive tackle Julien Davenport onto the 53-man roster. Davenport was designated to return from injured reserve, but the team must make a corresponding roster move to accommodate his addition. Davenport started the season opener but suffered a hyperextended knee and small crack in his tibia during a practice the following week. Miami has until Nov. 20 to decide whether to add Davenport back to the roster.