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The Miami Dolphins and San Diego Chargers will meet for the fourth straight season when they kickoff on Sunday afternoon. Both teams come into this game hoping to use it to continue to battle their way back into a playoff position, but they could also be coming into the contest shorthanded in some key positions.
The Chargers have ruled out three players, including starting inside linebacker Denzel Perryman, who is dealing with a hamstring problem. They also ruled out linebacker Jatavis Brown and wide receiver Jeremy Butler.
The Dolphins, meanwhile, ruled out cornerback Xavien Howard, who continues to rehab from knee surgery.
San Diego’s injury report included two starters listed as doubtful for the contest, with wide receiver Travis Benjamin and safety Jahleel Addae both likely to miss the game. Benjamin did not practice at all during the week with a knee injury, while Addae was limited all week with a collarbone problem.
If Benjamin is unable to play, the Chargers will likely have to promote former Dolphins wide receiver Griff Whalen to the starting role.
The rest of the Chargers’ injury report was all players listed as questionable: guard Orlando Franklin (concussion), tight end Hunter Henry (knee), safety Craig Mager (concussion), and wide receiver Tyrell Williams (knee).
The Dolphins side of the injury report had ten players all listed as questionable:
- Isa Abdul-Quddus, safety - ankle
- Jermon Bushrod, guard - shoulder
- Leonte Carroo, wide receiver - knee
- Chris Culliver, cornerback - knee
- MarQuies Gray, tight end - ankle
- Jelani Jenkins, linebacker - hand
- Jarvis Landry, wide receiver - shoulder
- Dion Sims, tight end - concussion
- Anthony Steen, center - neck
- Kenny Stills, wide receiver - calf
All of the players are likely to play, with Landry the top name in the group. He was first reported as injured on Thursday, when he did not practice, then was limited on Friday. Head coach Adam Gase indicated on Thursday that it was likely a factor of the Dolphins being mid-way through their season and a lingering issue that flared up after Wednesday’s practice.
He said the same for the calf injury for Stills.
The team could see the season debut for Culliver, who spent the first part of the year on the Physically Unable to Perform list, as well as the return of Sims, who they are hoping is ready to play after missing time due to a concussion.
The teams will kickoff at 4:05pm ET today.