Dolphins Need To Double Down On Defense To Survive Ravens
By Abraham Gutierrez
Coming off a disappointing performance Monday night, the Miami Dolphins will try and avoid its first losing skid of the young season when the Baltimore Ravens come to town.
With 10 players listed in Thursday's injury report, the Fins staff is working around the clock to try and have as many healthy players as possible in this short week.
The good news is that, much like in preparations for the Saints game, only one player was unable to practice this week, likely indicating a DNP on game day. The bad news is that all of the names on the list happen to be on the defensive side of the football.
Needless to say, having as many able bodies to throw at Joe Flacco and the defending champs will be crucial in a game that has the words "trap" and "upset" written all over it.
Miami Dolphins Defense Injury Report (Oct. 3)
Cornerback Dimitri Patterson did not practice (groin): After getting off to a very promising start (two tackles, two INTs), the seventh-year man out of Tuskegee will likely miss his fourth straight game with a lingering groin injury.
Cornerback Nolan Carroll – Limited practice (ankle): Clearly limited by an ankle injury, Carroll started against the Saints, but was mostly ineffective. After recording a minimum of three tackles in his first three games, the former Terrapin standout registered just two tackles (one solo, one assist) in Monday night's game, pushing his season totals to 15 (tackles) and a pick.
Cornerback/Safety Don Jones – Limited practice (elbow): In his limited playing time, the rookie out of Arkansas State has recorded four tackles and a forced fumble through four games. Due to an elbow injury, Jones did not practice Wednesday, but was able to partake on a limited basis Thursday.
Safety Chris Clemons – Limited practice (glute): Despite nursing a glute injury, the Florida native was one of the few bright spots in last week's MNF game. The fifth-year player out of Clemson recorded eight tackles (seven solo, one assist) on the losing effort, to push his season totals to 17 tackles (14 solo), which ranks fourth best on the team.
Linebacker Koa Misi – Limited practice (shoulder): A bum shoulder limited Misi to just two tackles last week against the New Orleans Saints. Through four starts this year, the fourth-year man out of Utah has the eighth most tackles in the entire team with 14 (eight solo, six assist).
Linebacker Jonathan Feeny – Full practice (shoulder): This season has gotten off to a dreadful start for the Margate, Fla., native. After recording 14 tackles last season, Freeny has yet to crack into the record books in 2013. Although he's been nursing a shoulder injury, he took full reps this week.
Linebacker Dannell Ellerbe – Limited practice (ribs): Currently leading the team in tackles with 38 (24 solo), the ex-Raven will have a chance to take on his former teammates on Sunday. Although he was limited in practice this week with a rib injury, Ellerbe wouldn't miss this game for the world.
Linebacker Jason Trusnik – Limited practice (ribs): In his third year in a Fins uniform, the seventh-year man out of Ohio Northern has recorded a total of six tackles (four solo). Although he was limited this week due to a rib injury, Trusnik should get a good look at Joe Flacco and the Ravens offense.
Defensive End Cameron Wake – Limited practice (knee): There was a huge void left by the absence of the former Penn State standout against the formidable Saints on Monday night. While team doctors are working around the clock to have him ready for this week's showdown with Baltimore, Wake's status remains uncertain due to a knee injury. Despite sitting out last week's game, he still leads the team with two and a half sacks to go along with his five tackles (two solo).
Defensive Tackle Paul Soliai – Full practice (knee): Last, but certainly not least, Miami will need the services of a healthy Soliai this week. After sitting out for the first time in 18 games against the Falcons, the seventh-year vet out of Utah should have no problems extending his new streak to two games versus the Super Bowl champs this week.
Miami Dolphins Injury Report (Oct. 3) Recap
Did Not Practice (DNP)
- (CB) Dimitri Patterson (groin)
Limited Practice
- (LB) Koa Misi (shoulder)
- (S) Chris Clemons (hamstring)
- (LB) Jason Trusnik (ribs)
- (CB) Nolan Carroll (ankle)
- (DE) Cameron Wake (knee)
- (LB) Dannell Ellerbe (ribs)
- (S) Don Jones (elbow)
- (WR) Brandon Gibson (knee)
Full Practice
- (DT) Paul Soliai (knee)
- (LB) Jonathan Freeny (shoulder)
Practice Status Key
- Did not participate in practice (DNP)
- Limited Participation in Practice: Less than 100% of a player's normal repetitions
- Full Participation: 100% of a player's normal repetitions
- Out: Player will not play
For more Dolphins news and updates, visit Dolphins Central.
Abe Gutierrez is a criminal justice admin whose love for sports led him to become a writer and editor. His expertise make him a valued addition to Examiner.com and its partners. His work can be found on Examiner.com. .
