Not solely will the sport between the Dolphins and Payments be one of the crucial necessary video games of the ultimate weekend within the NFL, nevertheless it is among the most necessary video games for Miami this century. They are going to be taking part in at residence in prime time with an opportunity to knock off the rival Payments for supremacy within the AFC East, and are on the lookout for their first division title since 2008. However they’ve been banged up all through the ultimate stretch of the season, and might be shorthanded as soon as once more on Sunday in opposition to Buffalo.
Mostert, Waddle Miss Dolphins Apply On Thursday
Dolphins are itemizing RB Raheem Mostert, WR Jaylen Waddle and CB Xavien Howard as Did Not Apply at present for a second straight day.
Tua Tagovailoa was a full participant for a second straight day and is predicted to begin Sunday night time vs. Buffalo.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 4, 2024
The Dolphins took a critical beating in Week 17 by the hands of the Baltimore Ravens, however had been with out a few of their key playmakers for the competition. Whereas all groups across the league are coping with accidents at this level of the season, Miami specifically has been ravaged by illnesses to each of their beginning edge rushers, their beginning middle, a few of their finest offensive weapons, and their offensive line has had extra variations of a beginning 5 than any workforce aside from the Jets.
Two of the notable names that had been lacking final week included Jaylen Waddle and Raheem Mostert, each of whom missed follow but once more on Thursday forward of Miami’s huge Week 18 contest.
Tagovailoa Seems To Be Good To Go
Tua Tagovailoa is about to begin his seventeenth sport for the Dolphins this season, which was a preseason aim. He’s taken care of himself and it’s paying dividends. https://t.co/pmaUhtPBnT
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) January 4, 2024
Each gamers had been injured throughout the workforce’s Christmas Eve victory in opposition to the Cowboys. Waddle suffered an ankle sprain that was feared worse than it turned out to be, however his standing continues to be very a lot in query going ahead. Mostert had his ankle landed on early in that sport, and it was sufficient to maintain him out in opposition to Baltimore when the Dolphins may have used his knack for locating the top zone.
Xavien Howard, who left the sport in opposition to the Ravens with a foot subject, was additionally lacking from the follow session on Thursday.
The higher information for Miami is that quarterback Tua Tagovailoa seems to be high quality and effectively after he got here up holding his shoulder after a scramble late within the blowout final week. The well being of the Dolphins’ quarterback was one of many largest subjects of debate surrounding the workforce by the low season, however he may have began in all 17 video games this season if he’s certainly a full go for Sunday night time.
The Payments are one of many hottest groups in soccer, and can come into Laborious Rock Stadium as 3-point favorites for the winner-take-the-division contest.