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The Miami Dolphins continue to see injuries pile up this year, with players constantly missing plays, and full games, each and every week. With the team ready to face the AFC East rival New York Jets this Sunday, the Dolphins were forced to rule out four players.
First on the list is the permanent member of the "out" line on the injury report, tackle Jonathan Martin. However, he is joined this week by cornerback Dimitri Patterson, who has been in-and-out of games all season as he deals with a goin injury. Fellow cornerback Jamar Taylor, one of two rookies at the position for Miami, is likewise out of the game, thanks to a hamstring issue. And, finally, the team had ruled out running back Daniel Thomas, who is probably out for the remainder of the season, though the Dolphins have not put him on injured reserve yet, after tearing a ligament in his ankle last week against the Carolina Panthers.
With Patterson and Taylor out, the Dolphins could be looking at depth problems in the secondary, especially with safety Chris Clemons listed as questionable for the game with knee and hamstring issues. If all three players miss the game, how Miami mans the safety position and the nickel cornerback slot will be a major question mark. Nolan Carroll will likely start opposite Brent Grimes at cornerback, with Jimmy Wilson, who has played the nickel position most of the time this season, moving back to safety to replace Clemons. The Dolphins would likely then use either rookie Will Davis or R.J. Stanford as the third corner.
The Jets, meanwhile, are also facing question marks in their secondary. Cornerback Antonio Cromartie was limited in practice on Friday and is officially questionable for the game. The limited practice is actually a step up for Cromartie, who had missed the rest of the week's workouts with a hip injury. Also on the questionable list is safety Antonio Allen, who has seen his role diminish since the team signed Ed Reed earlier this month, but is still a key reserve. Allen did not practice on Friday after developing a high fever, but is expected to be ready on Sunday.
The Jets also listed wide receiver Santonio Holmes (foot/hamstring), linebacker Garrett McIntyre (knee), and wide receiver Jeremy Kerley (elbow) as questionable, with all three, along with Cromartie, expected to be game-time decisions.
The Dolphins rounded out their injury report with guard Sam Brenner (knee), wide receiver Rishard Matthews (back), linebacker Koa Misi (knee), wide receiver Marlon Moore (hamstring), defensive tackle Jared Odrick (knee), wide receiver/running back Marcus Thigpen (wrist), and safety Jimmy Wilson (abdomen) as probable for the game. All seven players were full participants in Friday's practice.
The Jets included nearly 20-percent of their roster under probable. Guard Willie Colon (calf), nose tackle Kenrick Ellis (back), wide receiver Stephen Hill (knee), running back Chris Ivory (ankle), center Nick Mangold (wrist), cornerback Dee Milliner (wrist), wide receiver Greg Salas (finger), defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (wrist), and tight end Kellen Winslow (knee) were all listed under the category, with everyone except Winslow full participants at practice. Winslow was limited in the Friday workout.
The Dolphins and Jets kickoff at 1pm ET on Sunday.
