South Florida Sun-Sentinel Palm Beach (Sunday)
Pass rush will be without Wake Sunday
Defensive end is third sidelined by a knee injury
CINCINNATI — Miami Dolphins pass-rushing specialist Cameron Wake will miss his first game since the 2015 season because of a knee injury he’s been nursing for the past few weeks.
Wake, a five-time pro Bowler who has recorded 93 sacks and forced 21 fumbles in his 10 seasons with the Dolphins, won’t play in Sunday ’s 1 p.m. game against the Cincinnati Bengals because of the knee injury
Wake, who has contributed 12 tackles and one sack in the four games he’s played, was sent to see a specialist this past week, but it’s unclear if he has undergone an arthroscopic procedure on the knee. If that is the case, Wake will likely be sidelined at least another two weeks.
Wake is the third Dolphins defensive end side- lined by a knee injury. William Hayes is on injured reserve because of an anterior cruciate ligament tear he suffered in his right knee during Miami’s win over the Oakland Raiders two weeks ago. And Andre Branch missed last weeks’ game because of a left knee injury he suffered against Oakland, and is questionable for Sunday’s game.
Wake, who has started 31 consecutive games for the Dolphins the past three seasons, will likely be replaced by Charles Harris or Jonathan Woodard as the starter working opposite Robert Quinn.
Also, newly signed defensive end Cameron Malveaux will likely play significant snaps because of Branch’s knee injury and the release of defensive tackle Jordan Phillips.
Harris, the Dolphins’ 2017 first-round pick who has contributed eight tackles in the first four games, would likely replace Wake as the team’s situational pass rusher, coming onto the field on third downs. However, expect Woodard and Malveaux to play more on first and second down because of Harris’ struggles stopping the run the past two seasons.
Harris started two games his rookie season, and Miami’s coaches have been encouraged by the progress they’ve seen from him this season.
Wake is one of six starters from Miami’s 2018 season opener the Dolphins could find themselves playing without because of lingering injuries.
Travis Swanson is replacing Daniel Kilgore, who suffered a season-ending triceps injury in last week’s loss to the New England Patriots, as the starting center.
Cornerback Bobby McCain, who missed the entire week of practice because of a left knee injury he suffered against the Patriots, has been ruled out. He will likely be replaced by Torry McTyer or Cordrea Tankersley as the boundary cornerback who starts opposite Xavien Howard.
Tight end A.J. Derby has been ruled out. The Dolphins will likely use all three of their tight ends — Mike Gesicki, Durham Smythe and Nick O’Leary — and offensive tackle Sam Young to fill that void.
Re c e i ve r DeVante Parker, who is nursing a quadriceps injury, participated in this past week’s practices on a limited basis, but is listed as questionable for the Bengals game.
If Parker doesn’t play in his second consecutive game because of the injury, Albert Wilson would start his second game of the season and Jakeem Grant would get more snaps.
There is a strong possibility Miami will get one important defender back. Starting safety Reshad Jones, who has missed the past two games with a shoulder injury, practiced without limitations all week and is optimistic that he’ll play on Sunday. However, he’s listed as questionable for the game.
Safety T.J. McDonald (foot), linebacker Chase Allen (foot), linebacker Stephone Anthony (hamstring), tailback Brandon Bolden (hamstring) and safety Walt Aikens (hamstring) all participated in Friday’s practice, and are expected to play.