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Dimitri Patterson injury elevates Nolan Carroll to first team in practice

The Miami Dolphins looked to come out of Sunday’s win over the Cleveland Browns completely unscathed. However, starting cornerback Dimitri Patterson was forced to miss practice today with a groin injury.

Matt Sullivan

In a move that probably scares just about every Miami Dolphins fan, Nolan Carroll was lined up as the starting cornerback opposite Brent Grimes today.  First team corner Dimitri Patterson was sidelined with a groin injury he suffered against the Cleveland Browns this past weekend.

Carroll is a solid depth cornerback.  He came away with the team's first interception of the season, picking off Brandon Weeden at the Miami one yard line, and he has incredible speed.  But, we've all seen him bite on double moves, allow players to beat him, and get flags for pass interference way too often to be happy he is lined up as the starter.

Patterson had the other two Miami interceptions on Sunday.

Prior to today, Patterson has said he will be ready to go for Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts, and the team needs to hope he will be.  The Colts have a lot of offensive weapons, and the cornerback depth is going to be one of the main keys this week.

Miami did get a little help with that, as rookie cornerback Will Davis returned to practice after sitting out all of last week.  Davis has proven to be a ball hawk at cornerback during training camp and the preseason, but, like Carroll, he can be beat by double moves, and Davis spends too much time watching the quarterback to try to jump the route, allowing receivers to break away from him.  They're rookie mistakes that he will be able to correct, but it is worrisome if the Dolphins have to rely on him this upcoming Sunday.

Fellow rookie Jamar Taylor continues to be sidelined with a groin injury.

It's only Tuesday, and a lot can, and will, change between Sunday and today, but Patterson being out of practice today is at least a little worrisome.

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