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The Miami Dolphins were just one of two NFL teams practicing on Tuesday, with the Philadelphia Eagles also bucking the league's tradition of giving players a day off on Tuesday. In Philly, Coach Chip Kelly gives his players Mondays off, while in Miami, Coach Joe Philbin uses Thursday as the rest day this year. So, with the Dolphins hitting the field today, there is obviously Dolphins news to come out of the practice.
While the media is not permitted to watch most of practice, the portion they were allowed to see gives us a good idea of the injury situation for the Dolphins. Defensive tackle Paul Soliai was not present for practice, likely obtaining treatment on a knee injury he suffered near the end of Miami's 24-20 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. Soliai was forced to leave the game, and went straight into the locker room. Asked about the injury following the game, Soliai told reporters he was fine and did not have ice on his knee, nor was he limping.
Soliai had an MRI conducted on his knee yesterday and, while the results are not known, it is not believed to be a serious injury and the former Pro Bowl defensive tackle is not expected to miss much time. However, his playing time for this week could be in question.
Cornerbacks Jamar Taylor, Dimitri Patterson, and Will Davis, all of whom sat out the game in Indianapolis, were back at practice on Tuesday. Taylor, who has been dealing with a groin injury, has not practiced for the last few weeks and, like Davis, who did practice last week but still sat out the game with a turf toe injury, has yet to appear in an NFL regular season game. Patterson was active for the game on Sunday, but did not appear as he also works his way back from a groin injury.
Miami also made two practice squad moves, releasing quarterback Austin Davis, who was signed by the team last week. To fill his practice squad position, Miami brought back defensive tackle Isaako Aaitui. Aaitui was with the Dolphins during the preseason in 2012, and was released in the final round of cuts. During last summer's Hard Knocks, General Manager Jeff Ireland was shown telling Aaitui the team would like to bring him back to the practice squad, only to have the New York Jets claim him off waivers.
Aaitui tore his ACL and MCL in his first practice with the Jets. He spent this past training camp with the New Orleans Saints.
Miami also released cornerback Devin Smith from the practice squad, signing defensive tackle Al Lapuaho. Lapuaho was initially signed to Miami's practice squad before Week 1, but was released when the team added Smith. The move signals the team is feeling better about the secondary with the return of Davis, Taylor, and Patterson, allowing for the release of Smith. The signing of both Aaitui and Lapuaho could signal that, while Soliai is not expected to miss a long period of time, the team at least is concerned about the injury.
The Dolphins face the Atlanta Falcons this Sunday at 4:05pm ET. The game marks the first home game for Miami this year.
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