Dolphins picking each other up after injuries
DAVIE — This week has been as much of a downer as the Dolphins have encountered in a long time, but they’re fighting through it.
They started the week by losing Jay Ajayi to a concussion, then saw practice go silent Thursday when Ryan Tannehill’s knee gave out. Backup quarterback Matt Moore restarted the team after that harrowing pause, and the atmosphere was relatively normal Friday morning.
“It’s the same mentality we’ve had: next man up,” defensive back Michael Thomas said. “Obviously, you hate to see anybody get injuries. That’s not why you play the game. That’s always tough to see. We’re praying for them and hoping for the best. Everyone who’s out here has to work and grind and overcome it.”
Thomas, a team captain who has been with Miami since 2013, is one of the most vocal and respected players in the locker room. After Tannehill went down, he saw a need to rally his teammates.
“You saw a lot of guys, including myself, say, ‘Hey, let’s keep this energy up,’” Thomas said. “We remember what happened last year. It was a next-man-up mentality. A lot of guys stepped up with that today. You saw a lot of guys talking noise and making plays and challenging each other and competing. That’s the culture of our team, man.”
The Dolphins have seven practices left in camp, including a scrimmage at Hard Rock Stadium today. Their first preseason game is Thursday against Atlanta.
Line switches: With starting guard Ted Larsen likely sidelined for at least a few weeks into the regular season with a bicep injury, the Dolphins used Kraig Urbik at guard and Anthony Steen at center, with rookie Isaac Asiata rotating in at guard.
“At any given point in the season, someone could go down with an injury and you’re the starter for the rest of the year, so you prepare that way,” Urbik said. “You have to prepare every week, every game like you’re going to be the starter. They could go in the first play of the game, get hurt and you’re in for the rest of the season. So if you’re not prepared for that, you’re not doing your job.”
Urbik started six games for the Dolphins last season and has 63 starts in his career.
Asiata believes he also is competing to start.
“That competitiveness brings the best out of people,” Asiata said. “Everything’s open. For me, I’ve just got to show up every day and give everything I’ve got.”
Asiata also acknowledged he’s learning on the fly.
“There’s still a lot I’ve got to grasp,” Asiata said. “It’s like taking a drink from a fire hose. You’re trying to just collect it in, settle and work on your game. (Offensive line) Coach (Chris) Foerster has been doing a good job, especially with the vets to help me settle in, know my stuff and be able to work on my technique in practice.”
This week, Foerster said Jake Brendel and Jesse Davis are also in the mix at guard.
Foerster detailed how the Dolphins are focused on linemen who can move their feet quickly, which fits into their preferred zone run blocking schemes.
“We’re not a team that’s going to be holding the ball at seven steps and standing up there where you need guys who are going to be able to anchor for three or four (seconds),” Foerster said. “We’ve got guys who are going to stay in front of people, mirror them, we’re going to get the ball out quick and we’re going to make people run with our athletic ability.”
Noteworthy: Moore took first-team reps with the offense Friday . ... Center Mike Pouncey (hip) participated in positional drills with the offensive line ... Ajayi (concussion) was still being held out of practice.