It seems like I'm having to talk about the loss of a key player every single week. Well this week is no different.
Tony Sparano has confirmed that starting nose tackle Jason Ferguson is indeed out for the remainder of the season after sustaining an injury to his right quad on Thursday night in Carolina. That means the only player on the roster now with nose tackle experience is Paul Soliai - and he himself is also dinged up. Sparano did seem optimistic, though, that Soliai would be ready to play on Sunday.
Randy Starks also took some snaps at nose tackle last season and Sparano said on Friday that he and Tony McDaniel would get looks at nose tackle if Ferguson and Soliai were both not available. But you also have to wonder if moving towards more of a 3-4/4-3 hybrid might be in Miami's best interest now with the loss of their big man in the middle.
Ferguson is fifth key Dolphin who has suffered a season-ending injury, joining Chad Pennington, Patrick Cobbs, Will Allen, and Ronnie Brown. Most teams would have thrown in the towel by now. But you have to give this team, these coaches, and this front office credit for the depth on the roster and the fight this team has shown week in and week out.