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Friday’s news indicated the Miami Dolphins would be without quarterback Jay Cutler for their Week 12 contest at the New England Patriots, as Justin Hier wrote yesterday. Cutler sustained a concussion during the Dolphins’ Week 11 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and while he had progressed through the league’s concussion protocol to be able to practice late in the week, he was not cleared for Sunday’s game, leaving the starting duty to Matt Moore, who also started during the team’s 40-0 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Along with Cutler, the Dolphins ruled out guard Jermon Bushrod (foot), who will be replaced as the starting right guard by Jesse Davis, and defensive end William Hayes (back), who should be replaced in the reserve lineman rotation by Charles Harris and Terrence Fede. On the New England side of the injury report, center David Andrews (illness), tackle Marcus Cannon (ankle), and wide receiver Chris Hogan (shoulder) were all ruled out. Hogan, who spent part of the 2011 season on Miami’s practice squad, then became a focal point of the 2012 Hard Knocks series during the Dolphins’ training camp, has been a large part of the Patriots’ offense this year, accounting for 33 receptions on 54 targets with 438 receiving yards and is tied with Rob Gronkowski for the team lead in touchdowns with five. Hogan has already missed two previous games this season for the Patriots.
New England has ruled tight end Martellus Bennett as doubtful for the game, with his shoulder and hamstring giving him problems. Bennett signed with the Green Bay Packers this past offseason after a year with the Patriots. He was claimed off waivers by the Patriots earlier this month after Green Bay released him with a “failure to disclose a medical condition” designation with a torn rotator cuff. Attempting to play through the shoulder issue, Bennett has six receptions for 53 yards in two games with New England.
Miami listed linebacker Stephone Anthony (quadriceps), safety Maurice Smith (illness), and tackle Laremy Tunsil (illness), as questionable for the contest. On the Patriots’ injury report, wide receiver Danny Amendola (knee), cornerback Malcolm Brown (ankle), defensive tackle Marcus Cannon (ankle), cornerback Eric Rowe (groin), and wide receiver Matthew Slater (hamstring) were all listed as questionable.
The Dolphins removed running back Senorise Perry, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, and safety Michael Thomas off the injury report on Friday. The Patriots did the same with quarterback Tom Brady and tight end Rob Gronkowski.
UPDATE: The Dolphins announced on Saturday that safety Maurice Smith’s illness will keep him from travelling with the team and he has been downgraded to out.