Staffing shortfall on defense

DAVIE — Just when the Miami Dolphins secondary reached a point where young players were making steady contributions, the unit will deal with another significant shuffle for the final three games of the season.

Two more defensive backs joined four others on injured reserve this week, leaving the Dolphins to rely on a core of five defensive backs who have remained healthy.

Two special teams standouts could provide depth, but it seems likelier two new defensive backs who joined the team last week could see playing time during the final stretch.

“Yeah, those numbers are getting low,” said cornerback turned safety Eric Rowe said with a smile.

“But it’s December in the NFL. Injuries, they just happen. We just have to keep pushing. We’ve got three games left, and we have to finish strong.”

Here’s who remains:

Rowe, a five-year veteran who signed a three-year, $18 million contract extension earlier this month.

Rowe will likely remain at safety and play cornerback when he is rotated into the position or another injury occurs to another defensive back.

“I think we’re going to have to rotate because we don’t have a lot,” Rowe said of the cornerback position.

Undrafted rookie Nik Needham, who was on the wrong end of two reviewed plays that resulted in game-deciding moments in last Sunday’s loss against the New York Jets, will continue to start at one of the two cornerback spots.

First-year cornerback Jomal Wiltz, who would likely see time as a nickel cornerback or cornerback depending on Rowe’s placement.

Safeties Steven Parker, who caught his second interception of the season against the Jets, and Adrian Colbert, who has learned Miami’s defense and played in the past three games since joining the team on Nov. 20.

“It’s tough,”

Needham said of the turnover