The Phinsider
The Dolphins are off this weekend. What do they need to do to improve for the rest of the year?
The Miami Dolphins do not play this weekend, instead they are enjoying their Week 6 bye before preparing for a 12-week sprint to the finish line of the 2024 NFL regular season. Entering the weekend, the Dolphins are a game out of the AFC East lead, sitting at 2-3 for the season and trailing the 3-2 Buffalo Bills. The early start to the season for the Dolphins has been anything but ideal, but they are still in a position to threaten the Bills for the division championship and to be a factor in the AFC playoff picture.
What do they need to do to make sure they stay a factor down the stretch this year? We take a look at some of the bye-week improvements the team can make to get ready for their final 12 games.
There may not be a lot the team can do to prevent future injuries, especially when they are seeing concussions and torn knee ligaments lead to major contributors missing playing time - or the rest of the season. They can, however, make sure they are coming out of the bye week as healthy as possible. Rehab and rest has to be the number one rule for the players this week.
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has at least one more week on injured reserve after a Week 2 concussion. Safety Jevon Holland has a broken hand that could cost him some playing time following surgery. Running back De’Von Achane has a concussion. Quarterback Skylar Thompson has an injury to his ribs. Linebacker Jaelan Phillips is out for the year with a knee injury. Linebacker Bradley Chubb is still on the physically unable to perform list following last year’s season-ending knee injury. Offensive lineman Isaiah Wynn is also on the physically unable to perform list for a leg injury. Running back Raheem Mostert returned last week after missing two weeks with a chest injury. Safety Jordan Poyer missed the Week 5 game with a shin injury. Tackle Terron Armstead is dealing with a myriad of issues, including dealing with a concussion. Wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr., returned from a knee injury that had him start the year on the physically unable to perform list in Week 4, making his debut as a Dolphins player. Cornerback Cam Smith remains on injured reserve, though his practice window was opened, as he deals with a hamstring issue.
The injured reserve list includes Tagovailoa, Phillips, and Smith, along with linebacker Cam Brown, wide reciever River Cracraft, wide receiver Grant DeBose, safety Patrick McMorris, linebacker Grayson Murphy, wide receiver Anthony Schwartz, tackle Kion Smith, and wide receiver Tahj Washington. The PUP list, along with Bradley and Wynn also includes linebacker Cameron Goode.
Injuries have been an issue with the Dolphins early this year. Again, there is not a lot the team can do to stop injuries from...
