Alonso’s concern is hamstring, not thumb
DAVIE — Maybe it says something about his pain tolerance. Maybe it says something about how serious his hamstring issue is.
But for whatever reason, Dolphins linebacker Kiko Alonso has a bigger concern with his sore hamstring than his right thumb, which was surgically repaired Monday.
“The t humb i s what i t is as far as playing with a cast,” coach Adam Gase said Wednesday, momentarily downplaying that and pointing to the hamstring issue. “That’s the one part that’s a little up in the air for us right now. We just want to make sure that he is as close to — he’s not going to be 100 percent — but as close to being healthy as he can be by game time.”
Alonso did not practice Wednesday but rode a stationary bike. He’s by far the Dolphins’ leading tackler and would be missed Sunday when Miami faces the Arizona Cardinals and running back David Johnson, who’s third in the NFL with 1,005 yards.
If Alonso is to play with the thumb in a cast, his tackling abilit y would be affected, Gase said.
“The good thing is he’s not in a club, so he can at least kind of grab,” Gase said, contrasting the situation to when linebacker Jelani Jenkins tried to play with a hand completely covered. “With him having fingers exposed, at least he has a chance when he tackles. He can grab cloth.”
If Alonso cannot go, he would be replaced by second-year man Mike Hull, who made four tackles off the bench against Baltimore on Sunday. It was a career high for Hull, who is tied for the NFL lead with 15 tackles on special teams but has been sparingly used on defense.
“I don’t look at it as added pressure,” Hull said. “This is what we’re paid to do. This is why I’m here right now, for this opportunity”
H e m a y n o t h a v e t o prove much to Gase, who praised Hull’s play against the Ravens.
“He showed up for sure,” Gase said. “That was something that was obvious probably to anybody that was wat c h i n g t h e g a me. Hi s instincts are off the charts.
“You see how quickly he reacts compared to every- body else. Everybody’s going one way, he’s going the other way, and he’s usually right. You just watch him play, it’s very impressive.”
Johnson is 6-foot-1, 224 pounds and averages 4.4 y a rd s p e r c a r r y. He h a s rushed for 11 touchdowns but also ranks second on the Cardinals with 64 receptions for 704 yards and four more TDs. He leads the NFL in yards from scrimmage.
“It’s going to be a great experience,” Hull said. “He’s one of the best backs right now in the NFL, so we’ve got to do a good job shutting him down. It’s going to start up front with the front seven.”
Injury report: Dolphins center Mike Pouncey (back) and Jenkins (hand/knee) did not practice Wednesday.
Pouncey has missed the past three games. The Palm Beach Post reported after the injury that projections suggested Pouncey might return this week against Arizona, but also possibly for the final three games, all AFC East opponents.
The Dolphins are 4-1 when Pouncey plays and 3-4 when he doesn’t. The Dolphins also ran for 200 yards in two games that Pouncey played this season.
Jenkins has been injured all season, with various ailments.
Cornerback Xavien Howard (knee) was running full speed at practice and perhaps this is the week he is cleared to play.
Safety Isa Abdul-Quddus was in a non-contact jersey.
Wi d e r e c e i v e r J a r v i s Landry was not at practice, but he was excused for a non-football injury.
Pouncey nominated for award: The Dolphins nominated Pouncey as 2016 Wal- ter Payton NFL Man of the Year candidate.
According to the Dolphins, each week Pouncey purchases tickets so that children, who otherwise would not have the means to do so, can attend Dolphins games.
Pouncey also hosts a charity weekend each summer with his twin brother, Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey, in their hometown of Lakeland, Fla., to benefit the Team Pouncey Foundation.
The Dolphins say Pouncey is active in many other South Florida charities as well.
Former Dolphins Dwight Stephenson (1985), quarterback Dan Marino (1998) and defensive end Jason Taylor (2007) have each won the award while playing for the Dolphins.