The Miami Dolphins head to Pennsylvania this weekend to face the Pittsburgh Steelers, with both teams looking for a win to bolster their playoff chances. With the game on Sunday, the two clubs issued their final injury reports of the week yesterday, with a player from both teams being ruled out of the game.
For the Dolphins, that player is cornerback Jamar Taylor, who also missed last weekend's win over the New York Jets with a hamstring issue. The rookie has seen limited playing time this year, but has been a source of depth at the position when he has been healthy.
The Steelers, meanwhile, will be without defensive end Brett Keisel, who is fighting plantar faciitis. He was forced to sit out the Steelers' Week 11 and Week 12 contests with the foot problem, but came back for last week's game against the Baltimore Ravens. During the game, he aggravated the condition and was ruled out of this week's game on the first injury report on Wednesday.
Pittsburgh's starting left tackle, Kelvin Beachum, is doubtful for the game after injuring his knee.
Perhaps the most surprising status on the injury report this week is running back Daniel Thomas' listing as questionable. Thomas was injured two weeks ago against the Carolina Panthers, being diagnosed after the contest with a torn ligament in his ankle. The projections had Thomas likely out for the year, but he was a limited participant in practice on Friday, and is now 50-50 to play in this week's game.
Miami also listed cornerback Dimitri Patterson as questionable. Patterson, who is tied for second in the league with four interceptions, but has only played in five of Miami's twelve games this year, thanks to a groin injury that just will not go away.
Nose tackle Steve McLendon is questionable for the Steelers after missing last week's game with an ankle injury. If McLendon cannot play this week, Pittsburgh would be without two of their three starting lineman.
The probable category for the Dolphins lists safety Chris Clemons (knee/hamstring), tight end Michael Egnew (neck), guard John Jerry (concussion), running back Lamar Miller (pectoral), linebacker Austin Spitler (knee), and quarterback Ryan Tannehill (right thumb). For Pittsburgh, reserve left tackle Mike Adams (ankle), running back Le'Veon Bell (concussion), guard David DeCastro (foot), and linebacker LaMarr Woodley (calf) are also listed as probable.
The Dolphins and Steelers kick off at 1pm ET tomorrow.