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For the first time since he made his debut for the Miami Dolphins, defensive end Cameron Wake will not take the field as the Dolphins visit the New Orleans Saints tonight. The sprained MCL that saw him miss most of last week's game against the Atlanta Falcons will once again cost Wake playing time. How will the Dolphins react to not having Wake?
Most likely, the team will move defensive tackle Jared Odrick to defensive end, the position he played last year, as defensive tackle Paul Soliai, who missed last week with an injured knee of his own, returns tonight. Randy Starks will man the other starting defensive tackle position, while Olivier Vernon will continue to start at defensive end.
Behind them, defensive ends Derrick Shelby and Dion Jordan will likely see plenty of playing time, rotating into the game. Jordan, the third overall pick in April's draft, saw his highest number of snaps last week, playing in 30 defensive plays.
The defensive line has a tough task in front of them tonight, as the Saints, and quarterback Drew Brees, look to continue the success that has them third in the league in passing yards. Brees excels against the blitz, so the Dolphins defensive line needs to find a way cause pressure without the extra rushers.
It's going to be a tough task for the Dolphins tonight, even if Wake were playing, so Jordan, Shelby, Vernon, Soliai, Starks, and Odrick will have to step up if Miami is going to keep up with New Orleans.
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