At least 2 starters won’t play vs. Jags

Another pair are questionable heading into game in London

The Miami Dolphins could be forced to play the winless Jacksonville Jaguars without two of the team’s starting receivers and two of the team’s starting cornerbacks.

Receiver DeVante Parker will miss his second consecutive game because of a hamstring injury that flared up last week, and Preston Williams, who replaced him as Miami’s starting split end in last Sunday’s 45-17 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game because of a groin injury that flared up Thursday.

Cornerback Xavien Howard, the lone Pro Bowl veteran on the Dolphins (1-4) roster, was ruled out Friday after sitting out the entire week of practice because of a groin injury he’s been battling for the past two weeks.

Howard played with the groin strain in last week’s 45-17 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and apparently aggravated it while unsuccessfully trying to defend Antonio Brown, who scored two touchdowns on him.

Complicating things for the Dolphins secondary is the fact Byron Jones, the starter who plays opposite Howard on the boundary, is also nursing an Achilles and groin injury. Jones practiced all week, and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game, which will be played at 9:30 a.m. EST in London.

Nik Needham will likely replace Howard on the boundary, leaving Justin Coleman as Miami’s nickel cornerback and Elijah Campbell as the top backup. Needham, who has contributed 21 tackles and two pass breakups in the five games he’s played this season, has started 19 of the 33 games he’s played for the Dolphins the past three seasons.

It’s also possible that Howard and Jones’ injury could lead to Noah Igbinoghene, the Dolphins’ 2020 first-round pick, playing in

his second game of the season. Igbinoghene, a former Auburn standout, has been inactive for all but one game this season because of his struggles during training camp and lack of special teams experience.

Last week the Dolphins elevated Isaiah Ford up from the practice squad to address the injuries at receiver, which includes Will Fuller being on injured reserve because of a broken finger he suffered in Miami’s 27-17 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. The Dolphins will likely elevate Ford up from the practice squad again this week because of his superior understanding of the offense, or they could elevate Kirk Merritt, who had a strong exhibition season showing this summer.

Expect Mack Hollins and Albert Wilson to play a larger role in the offense as well.

Also listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Jaguars was quarterback Jacoby Brissett, whose participation has been limited all week because of a hamstring strain he played through against Tampa Bay.

Tua Tagovailoa will replace Brissett as the Dolphins starter, playing in his first game in a month because of broken ribs he suffered on Sept. 19. It is possible that Miami could use Reid Sinnett as Tagovailoa’s backup because of Brissett’s injury.

Tight end Adam Shaheen is also questionable because of a right knee injury, which has limited his practice participation. If Shaheen doesn’t play, Cethan Carter and Hunter Long, the Dolphins’ 2021 third-round pick, would likely inherit his roles as the tight end who shares the in-line work with Durham Smythe.

But the Dolphins aren’t the only team impacted by injuries in Sunday’s London game. Jaguars linebacker Myles Jack, who has started 72 of 78 games he’s played for Jacksonville the past six seasons, will miss his first game of the season because of a back injury.

Offensive tackle Rashaad Coward has also been ruled out because of an ankle injury, and cornerback Tyson Campbell (toe) and defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris (ankle) are questionable.