Dolphins Report 14 Injuries Prior To Week 2 Showdown With Bills
By Abraham Gutierrez
With dreams of a perfect 2-0 start, the (1-0) Miami Dolphins will have a mountain of injuries to overcome as they prepare to take on the (1-0) Buffalo Bills in Week 2 of the 2014 NFL campaign. Last week, the Fins came away with an improbable (33-20) win over the New England Patriots, despite the fact that the team reported 13 injured players in their opening IR.
As Miami prepares to make the trip to Ralph Wilson Stadium, Joe Philbin and his coaching staff revealed 14 names in Thursday’s penultimate injury report, which has to be a concern for Fantasy owners and pro football fans alike. Split almost evenly down the middle, the Week 2 IR list consists of six offensive players and eight on the defensive side of the football.
The biggest concern will be at the linebacker position, especially going up against the third-best ground attack in the National Football League. After racking up 193 rushing yards in an (23-20) overtime win over the Chicago Bears, Miami’s lack of depth at that position might be a pivotal factor come Sunday afternoon.
On Monday, coach Philbin announced that starting linebacker Dannell Ellerbe was done for the year following a hip injury sustained in Week 1. Headed to season-ending injured reserve, the sixth-year man out of Georgia will not appear on the weekly injury reports, as Kelvin Sheppard has taken his spot on the current roster.
Another disturbing fact for the Dolphins this week is that not one, of the 14 hobbled players, was able to fully partake in team practices either Wednesday or Thursday. Specifically, there were nine players who took limited snaps, along with five that either Did Not Participate in Practice and/or have already been ruled out.
Scratched from Miami’s depth chart for the Bills’ home opener is linebacker Tripp Jordan (chest), center Mike Pouncey (hip), and defensive end Terrence Fede (knee). Those who did not practice this week, but have yet to been ruled out of Sunday’s game include (linebacker) Koa Misi and (guard) Billy Turner.
Finally, there were nine players hobbling around, taking limited snaps this week at the team’s practice facility. And while their Game Day status will not be divulged until Friday’s practice session wraps up, any of the following names could lead to DNPs at Orchard Park, N.Y. this Sunday:
Miami Dolphins Penultimate Week 2 Injury Report:
Limited Participation in Practice
- DE - Derrick Shelby (knee)
- DT - Randy Starks (toe)
- LB - Philip Wheeler (thumb)
- LB - Chris McCain (illness)
- RB - Knowshon Moreno (shoulder)
- S - Walt Aikens (hand)
- TE - Dion Sims (neck)
- TE - Charles Clay (knee)
- WR - Mike Wallace (hamstring)
Did Not Participate in Practice
- C - Mike Pouncey (Hip) - Will Not Play
- DE - Terrence Fede (knee) - Will Not Play
- G - Billy Turner (foot)
- LB - Koa Misi (ankle)
- LB - Tripp Jordan (chest) - Will Not Play
Buffalo Bills Penultimate Week 2 Injury Report:
Full Participation in Practice
- CB - Stephon Gilmore (groin)
- WR - Sammy Watkins (ribs)
- WR - Chris Hogan (ankle)
Limited Participation in Practice
- S - Jonathan Meeks (neck)
- S - Aaron Williams (Concussion/MTBI)
Did Not Participate in Practice
- LB - Keith Rivers (groin)
- TE - Lee Smith (toe)
Practice Status Key:
- DNP: Player did not participate in practice.
- Limited Participation in Practice: Less than 100 percent of a player’s normal repetitions.
- Full Participation in Practice: 100 percent of a player’s normal repetitions.
- Out: Player will not play on Game Day.
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. .
