Hurns return gives boost to receiver corps
DAVIE — Miami Dolphins receiver Allen Hurns has been cleared to play against the Washington Redskins on Sunday after exiting the NFL’s concussion protocol Thursday — nearly three weeks after being hospitalized following a brutal hit he suffered in a 31-6 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
Hurns, who collided with Cowboys safety Jeff Heath when both tried to catch a deep pass from Josh Rosen over the middle, was taken to a Dallas hospital, where he was put under observation for 24 hours after the game.
To exit the NFL’s three-stage concussion protocol program, a player must practice without exhibiting side effects from the hit.
Hurns, who started his first game for the Dolphins against the Cowboys, was held out of practice the following week and began practicing after Miami’s bye week. He’s not listed on the injury report, which means Hurns, who has caught three passes for 41 yards this season, is cleared to play Sunday.
Hurns, a former University of Miami
standout, is the Dolphins’ most seasoned receiver, catching 201 passes for 3,005 yards and 23 touchdowns during his six-year NFL career.
The Dolphins could use help at receiver as Albert Wilson is still limited by the calf injury that has prevented him from playing in all but the season opener. Jakeem Grant also has been battling a right hamstring injury that he’s been nursing since training camp.
Wilson and Grant worked during the team’s last two practices, but their participation has been limited.
Their status for Sunday’s game will be clarified Friday.
The Dolphins have added Isaiah Ford to the 53-man roster to fortify the injury-depleted receiver unit, which features Preston Williams, an undrafted rookie, and DeVante Parker as the team’s two starters. Dolphins continue O-line experimentation: The Dolphins have spent this week experimenting with the offensive line, trying to determine who would be the best option at both offensive tackle spots.
J’Marcus Webb and Jesse Davis are being worked at left and right tackle with the goal of determining who gives the offensive line the best chance to succeed.
Davis’ return from his right elbow injury would create the unit’s fifth offensive line combination because he’s never played with a group that features Evan Boehm as the starting right guard.
Miami’s offensive line began the season in disarray because of the August trade that sent Laremy Tunsil to Houston.
Injuries to Julien Davenport and Danny Isidora, who both served as starters, forced Webb and Boehm’s elevation to the starting lineup. Davis had played left tackle before suffering an elbow injury against Dallas, which opened the door for Webb to play that spot against the Chargers, a game in which he excelled.
The Dolphins are experimenting with whether Webb should remain on the left side, which allows Davis to return to right tackle, the spot he’s played all but one week of training camp at before moving to left tackle to replace Tunsil.
However, Davis’ practice participation remains limited because of his injury. If he can’t start, Isaiah Prince, the Dolphins’ 2019 sixth-round pick out of Ohio State, would likely start his second NFL game at right tackle.
Injury update: Cornerback Xavien Howard had his practice participation limited for the second day in a row because of a knee injury. … Dolphins tailback Mark Walton, whose participation was limited Wednesday because of an illness, practiced Thursday without any limitations. … Cornerback Johnson Bademosi suffered an ankle injury during Thursday’s practice.