AP Source: Dolphins' Frank Gore Expected To Miss Rest Of Season
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MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) – Miami Dolphins running back Frank Gore is out. Gore, the NFL's leading active rusher, is expected to miss the rest of the year with a sprained foot, a person familiar with the situation said Monday. The person confirmed Gore's status to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team hadn't commented on the severity of his injury.
Gore was hurt during Sunday's 41-17 loss at Minnesota . He has played in 126 consecutive games and made 122 starts in a row, and both streaks are the longest by an NFL offensive skill player.
Last week Gore, 35, said he was uncertain whether he wanted to play next year. That's one of many offseason decisions looming for the Dolphins (7-7) now that they've been reduced to long-shot status in the playoff race.
"We're outside looking in," coach Adam Gase acknowledged. It's a familiar position for the Dolphins, who have played only two postseason games since 2001.
With the 35-year-old running back likely to miss the rest of the season, Kallen Ballage is set to join Kenyan Drake for a new 1-2 punch in the Miami backfield, though Brandon Bolden might also get a few touches, according to CBSSports.com.
The Dolphins host the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16 followed by Buffalo the following week.
"The difficult part right now is we can handle our business, but that's doesn't mean anything," Gase said. "We've got other teams that can affect our season."
Eight AFC teams have a better record in the race for six playoff spots. That means the Dolphins would need a lot of help to reach the postseason — plus a sweep of their final two games, which seems unlikely in the wake of the latest flop.
Minnesota manhandled Miami up front on both sides of the ball. Tannehill was sacked nine times, tying the franchise record, and the run defense allowed 220 yards.
The Dolphins fell behind 21-0 in the first quarter, closed within 21-17 early in the second half and did little right thereafter.
"That's been the sad story of our woes this year — not being able to finish," running back Kenyan Drake said.
It has been a team effort. The Dolphins rank 30th in the league in defense and 29th in offense, and they've been outgained by 100 yards per game — 1,402 total. The franchise record is 1,321 in 1967.
(© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)