Three Dolphins starters suffered serious injuries against the Ravens.
The Dolphins could be forced to play the season finale against the Buffalo Bills without three key players.
Three important players to the Miami Dolphins’ success in 2023 sustained serious injuries in Sunday’s 56-19 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Tua Tagovailoa, the Miami Dolphins quarterback, has worked hard to stay healthy all season, but it appears his luck ran out during the fourth quarter of Sunday’s loss when Tagovailoa’s throwing arm (his left) was rolled up on at the end of a fourth-down scramble for a gain that did not continue the drive.
Pass rusher Bradley Chubb, who leads the Dolphins defence with 11 sacks, was carried off the field after seeming to sustain a right knee injury on a late fourth-quarter drive.
On the Ravens’ opening possession, cornerback Xavien Howard suffered a serious foot injury and did not return to the game.
All three injuries might have a significant impact on how the Dolphins play offence and defence in the season finale against the Buffalo Bills, which will determine whether club wins the AFC East and hosts a game in the first round of the playoffs.
The seriousness of the three injuries was not disclosed, but Miami’s postseason run may be jeopardised if all three starters are unable to play next week.
Mike White, a fifth-year journeyman with seven NFL starts, replaced Tagovailoa for the final two offensive possessions. He’d likely start if Tagovailoa, who was battling a thumb and quad injury into Sunday’s game, is unable to practise next week and play against the Bills.
Tagovailoa missed Miami’s playoff game last season due to a concussion.
Kader Kohou replaced Howard as the cornerback assigned to the boundary opposite Jalen Ramsey, then Eli Apple took up the boundary spot when Kohou moved inside for work in the nickel package, which defends the opposition’s three receiver sets.
Miami’s secondary struggled against the Ravens. Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson threw five touchdowns and had a perfect passer rating.
Howard, who has 45 tackles, one interception, and 12 pass breakups in 13 games this season, has been playing the past month with a hip ailment sustained in Miami’s loss to the Tennessee Titans, and had previously missed games due to a groyne strain.
Chubb was replaced by Cameron Goode and Melvin Ingram, who were promoted from the practice squad for Sunday’s game.
The Dolphins also had Emmanuel Ogbah available, but he was inactive for Sunday’s game due to a coaching decision.
If Chubb’s knee injury is season-ending, he would be the Dolphins’ second pass rusher lost for the season. Jaelan Phillips sustained a season-ending Achilles injury during Miami’s Black Friday victory over the New York Jets.
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