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The Miami Dolphins have been battling through injuries lately, with players seemingly dropping faster than the team can find depth to back fill the roster. Miami is heading north for their first 2013 meeting with the New York Jets this Sunday, meaning both teams had to release their first injury report of the week yesterday. That report gives us a chance to update the latest victims of the Dolphins' injury bug.
As is the new norm for Miami, the injury report begins with tackle Jonathan Martin being listed as out of Sunday's game with an illness. However, it's the names after him on the report that are more concerning at this point. Safety Chris Clemons, cornerback Dimitri Patterson, and running back Daniel Thomas all were non-participants for the Wednesday practice.
Patterson missed last week's game with the groin injury that has bothered him all season, and, based on yesterday's report, things are not looking good for him this week either. Thomas, meanwhile, is likely done for the season after tearing a ligament in his ankle during the Carolina Panthers game last Sunday. However, Clemons' status on the report is a little surprising. The starting safety missed some time during the Panthers games, but the knee/hamstring issue did not appear that serious. Hopefully, this is a precautionary missing of practice, giving the veteran more time to rest the leg, rather than a need to get treatment and something that will hold him out against the Jets.
Limited practice participants included guard Sam Brenner with a knee problem, wide receiver Rishard Matthews with a back issue, and cornerback Jamar Taylor with a hamstring problem. Brenner has been starting on the offensive line with the illness to center Mike Pouncey over the past two games, but appears set to move back to a reserve role as Pouncey returns to the team, and is actually not even listed on the injury report.
Miami also listed linebacker Koa Misi (knee), wide receiver Marlon Moore (hamstring), defensive tackle Jared Odrick (knee), wide receiver Marcus Thigpen (wrist), and safety Jimmy Wilson (abdomen) as full participants. Maybe the most interesting thing is that Thigpen is listed as a wide receiver on the report. It could simply be an error, but is interesting that it happens this week, as the Dolphins look to either Thigpen or rookie Mike Gillislee to fill the reserve running back position, vacated by Thomas' injury, behind starter Lamar Miller.
As for the Jets, their report starts with cornerback Antonio Cromartie, who sat out Wednesday's workout. Asked about the injury, which is listed as a hip problem, similar to a 2008 injury, and if it could keep Cromartie from the game, Jets head coach Rex Ryan explained, "That's tough to call right now. That one truly could be a game-timer. We know he's had a history. He's a durable guy, he plays so we'll see. I hope he does obviously, but we'll see how he feels."
The Jets also had wide receiver Santonio Holmes (foot/hamstring), running back Chris Ivory (ankle), linebacker Garrett McIntyre (knee), wide receiver Jeremy Kerley (elbow), offensive lineman Nick Mangold (wrist), and tight end Kellen Winslow (knee) on the report, listing them as limited. Offensive lineman Willie Colon (calf), defensive lineman Kenrick Ellis (back), wide receiver Stephen Hill (knee), cornerback Dee Milliner (wrist), wide receiver Greg Salas (finger), and defensive lineman Mo Wilkerson (wrist) were on the report, but full participants in practice.
Both teams will update their injury reports later today, though, with the Dolphins not practicing on Thursdays this season, it will be an estimate for Miami.
