NFL Week 8 Injury Reports: Fins Healthy, Jags Crippled
By Abraham Gutierrez
If initial NFL Week 8 injury reports are any indication, Joe Philbin should have a full roster at his disposal, as the Fins make the trip to North Florida as healthy as they’ve been all year to battle the Jacksonville Jaguars. Unfortunately, Gus Bradley will not enjoy those same commodities, as he and his staff will have to reorder the team’s depth chart, as Jax will be without several key players in this pivotal game.
Following Wednesday and Thursday’s practices, Miami reported just one player who’s in danger of missing Sunday’s game at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. Outside linebacker Koa Misi is the only player to be listed as “Did Not Participate in Practice” this week, which will likely lead to a DNP on Game Day.
In his fifth NFL season, the 27-year-old out of Utah hasn’t been unable to avoid the injury bug. Misi’s name has been listed in every injury report thus far in 2014 – beginning with a with a shoulder issue in Week 1, followed by lingering ankle problems following Miami’s big win over the New England Patriots in the opener.
Even though Philbin and his staff penciled in a dozen other players in this week’s penultimate Week 8 injury report, Fins fans would be pleased to know that seven had “Full Participation in Practice” and the remaining five were able to partake in some capacity.
Those who took 100 percent of the snaps in preparation for Sunday’s game against the Jaguars are: [center] Samson Satele (hamstring), [defensive tackle] Jared Odrick (neck), [linebacker] Philip Wheeler (shoulder), [long snapper] John Denney (knee), [safety] Reshad Jones (teeth), [tackle] Branden Albert (elbow), and [wide receiver] Brandon Gibson (knee).
Then there are those players who were listed as having had “Limited Participation in Practice”, which means their game status will be announced in Friday’s final NFL Week 8 injury report. In this list one will find a pair of cornerbacks and tight ends, along with a safety: [cornerback] Cortland Finnegan (neck), [cornerback] Brent Grimes (groin), [safety] Jimmy Wilson (hamstring) and tight ends Dion Sims (stinger) and Charles Clay (knee).
For the Jaguars, the momentum gathered from their first win of the 2014 NFL season might go by the waste side due to injury. Although they reported four fewer players than Miami in their penultimate NFL Week 8 injury report, the two lists are contrasting in more ways than one.
The biggest hurdle for a potential an upset this week came when it was announced that the Jacksonville’s leading tackler (middle linebacker) Paul Posluszny has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2014 NFL season. The former Penn State standout suffered a torn right pectoral muscle in last week’s (24-6) win over the Cleveland Browns that required immediate surgery.
Another devastating blow to the Jags’ defense took place when (defensive end) Andre Branch tore a groin muscle. Thus, the team’s second-leader in sacks could be on the shelf for another six weeks, according to the recovery timetable.
Dolphins Penultimate NFL Week 8 Injury Report (Recap)
Full Participation in Practice:
- C - Samson Satele (hamstring)
- DT - Jared Odrick (neck)
- LB - Philip Wheeler (shoulder)
- LS - John Denney (knee)
- S - Reshad Jones (teeth)
- T - Branden Albert (elbow)
- WR - Brandon Gibson (knee)
Limited Participation in Practice:
- CB - Cortland Finnegan (neck)
- CB - Brent Grimes (groin)
- S - Jimmy Wilson (hamstring)
- TE - Dion Sims (stinger)
- TE - Charles Clay (knee)
Did Not Participate in Practice:
- LB - Koa Misi (ankle)
Jaguars Penultimate NFL Week 8 Injury Report (Recap)
Full Participation in Practice:
- C - Luke Bowanko (ankle)
- RB - Toby Gerhart (foot)
- S - Craig Loston (hamstring)
Limited Participation in Practice:
- CB - Dwayne Gratz (hip)
Did Not Participate in Practice:
- CB - Alan Ball (bicep)
- DT - Roy Miller (not injury related)
- DE - Andre Branch (groin)
- LB - Geno Hayes (not injury related)
- DE - Chris Clemons (not injury related)
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. .
