With Bushrod out, line juggled again
DAVIE — The Dolphins are heading to Foxborough, Mass., to face the Patriots with yet another collection of starters on the offensive line.
Guard Jermon Bushrod was ruled out with a foot injury by the Dolphins on Friday, forcing a domino effect on the line matching what occurred in the second half against Tampa Bay last week.
Bushrod’s absence means that Jesse Davis, who had started at right tackle after Ja’Wuan James was lost for the season, will be moving to right guard.
Sam Young will then slide into the starting lineup at right tackle.
Davis, signed as a free agent in January after spending time on Miami’s practice squad last year, will make his fifth start of the season.
Young, a second-year Dolphin, will make only his second start for the team, although he has started 14 games in his career.
In addition, left tackle Laremy Tunsil, who missed practice Wednesday and Thursday with an illness, did make it through Friday’s practice and is questionable.
Bottom line: The only linemen who have been healthy and in their familiar positions are center Mike Pouncey and left guard Ted Larsen.
How New England can capitalize remains to be seen because the Patriots rank last in the NFL in total defense. They have only 17 sacks; only three teams have fewer. The Patriots rank last in the league in pass defense and 24th in run defense.
Of course, there are several buts: The Patriots’ pass defense is improving, it will be noisy and their scoring defense is 12th in the NFL.
Hayes’ status: Defensive lineman William Hayes may miss extensive time because of a back injury, according to a league source.
Hayes finished last Sunday’s loss to the Bucs but did not feel right after.
For the season, Hayes has 19 tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack and five quarterback hits. He has been one of the best, if not the best, defensive run stoppers on Miami’s defensive line.
“He’s a guy that has played really well for us this year,” coach Adam Gase said Friday. “He has kind of set the tone on the edge. … He’s a force. … It’s unfortunate for us that he plays that whole game and he just didn’t feel right after the game.”
Hayes has lived up to expectations since Miami acquired him from the Rams in the offseason. Hayes is scheduled to be a free agent after this season, and it would make sense for Miami to try to bring him back, if the price is reasonable.
With only six games left, it is reasonable to conclude it is very much in question if and when Hayes will play for the Dolphins again.
The Dolphins should know even more about Hayes’ situation next week.
Carroo benched? After dressing for the first nine games of the season, wide receiver Leonte Carroo was a healthy scratch last Sunday against Tampa Bay, in favor of former Miami Hurricane Rashawn Scott.
Why did the Dolphins go with Scott over Carroo, a former third-round draft choice? “I thought Rashawn was having good weeks of practice and so (I played him) to get him up and get him that game experience and see how that week went,” Gase said Wednesday. “I think every week it’s just going to be to keep those guys competing, and then whoever has a good week, we’ll look to put that guy up.”
Carroo’s best game came against the Ravens last month, when he made six catches for 48 yards. Carroo had only three catches for 29 yards as a rookie, but he made changes to his eating and training habits as well as his focus and preparation in the offseason.
“He’s never going to be a speed burner,” offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen said of Carroo. “So he’s got to be on his technique. … The times he’s been in there, he’s been open and has made a couple big catches.”
Christensen noted that when it comes to a fourth and fifth receiver choice, special-teams coordinator Darren Rizzi has a huge input.
“For Leonte, that will be a constant competition,” Christensen said. “They’ve been in a competition since they’ve been here. It’s kind of a good thing, because whoever’s playing better will be up. It will come down to special teams. … I tell those guys, don’t give up your spot once you’ve got it. Just play well enough that people can’t live without you. So far, that hasn’t happened.”
Scott, who was promoted from Miami’s practice squad for the final two games of last season (including a playoff game at Pittsburgh), does not yet have an NFL catch.