Van Noy’s status for Sunday is uncertain

LB back at practice Thursday after hip injury vs. Chargers

Linebacker Kyle Van Noy, who is a vital component of the Miami Dolphins’ successful hybrid defense, is fighting through a hip injury that could impact his playing time, and limit the numerous roles he plays in Brian Flores’ defense.

VanNoy, who signed a fouryear, $51 million free-agent deal with the Dolphins in the offseason, has battled injuries all season. He spent last week on the COVID-19 reserve list, but was removed from it in time to play in Sunday’s 29-21 win over the Los Angeles Chargers.

However, he suffered a hip injury in the first quarter, and even though he continued to play through the injury in the second half— contributing five tackle san done quarter back hit — the Dolphins were forced to limit his role.

VanNoy, whohas 38 tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles and recovered two fumbles this season, sat out Wednesday’s practice but participated in Thursday’s session on a limited basis. His status for Sunday’s road game against the Denver Broncos is uncertain.

“Kyle’s going to do everything he can to get ready to play. It’s important to him. Hopefully we get him back, but it’s the National Football League. Nicks and bruises happen everywhere,” Flores said. “Nothing ismore import-----

ant than the health and safety of our players and we’re not going to put anybody in a situation where they could do any further harm.”

The concern moving forward is whether or not VanNoy will have the same movement skills because of the injury.

“He plays a number of roles — linebacker, defensive end, he’s inside, he’s outside, rusher, in coverage. You’ve got to get a couple of guys to say, ‘Hey, you’re Kyle on this play. You’ll playKyle’s role on this play.’ It’s by committee,” Flores said.

“We’ve got a few guys — a number of guys — whether it’s Kamu(Grugier-Hill), whetherit’s (AndrewVan) Ginkel, whetherit’s (Sam) Eguavoen. We have a few different guys who can fill those roles in practice. And hopefully not, but ifwe had to go that route in the game, I think our guys are ready to step up if that’s the situation.”

Van Ginkel has served as Van

Noy’s primary backup most of the season, and has shown drastic improvement in his second season. Grugier-Hill has been used primarily as a coverage specialist. Eguavoen has played sparingly this season, buthasbeen effective when used.

The Dolphins could also expand Jerome Baker’s role. Baker, one of Miami’s two inside linebackers, didn’t start against the Chargers because Van Noy replaced him as one of the two inside linebackers in Miami’s hybrid 3-4 scheme.

Christian Wilkins remains side lined: While most of the Dolphins assistants who were away from the team because of COVID-19 returned, the Dolphins are still without starting defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, who missed Sunday’s game because he’s on the COVID-19 reserve list.

Zach Sieler, who signed a contract extension this week, and Raekwon Davis, the rookie from Alabama taken in the second round of April’s draft, have helped fill the void created by Wilkins’ absence.