Dolphins Face Tough Blow as Storm Duck’s Season Ends with Knee Injury
The Miami Dolphins are grappling with another significant injury setback as they prepare for their upcoming clash against the Baltimore Ravens. Head coach Mike McDaniel addressed the media on Monday, revealing the latest injury updates, including the unfortunate season-ending injury to cornerback Storm Duck.
Tua’s Eye Concern Minimal
While the Dolphins secured a commanding 34-10 victory over the Atlanta Falcons, the spotlight briefly shifted to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s eye issue. McDaniel characterized the concern as a minor distraction, stating, “It was a blip on my radar.” Tagovailoa had awoken with a swollen left eye but managed to play effectively, even sporting a visor that his teammates playfully dubbed “swaggy.” The coach seemed unfazed, emphasizing that medical professionals were handling the situation and expressing confidence in Tagovailoa’s ability to perform regardless of the visor.
Storm Duck’s Injury Devastates Secondary
In stark contrast to Tagovailoa’s lighthearted situation, the Dolphins suffered a more serious blow with the injury to Storm Duck. The cornerback was carted off the field during the fourth quarter with a knee injury, which McDaniel confirmed would end his season. This injury caps a tumultuous year for Duck, who had shown early promise in training camp, earning a starting role for the season opener against the Indianapolis Colts. However, a subsequent ankle injury sidelined him for six games, and his return against the Falcons was short-lived.
Duck’s injury occurred while he was covering wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge during a pass play. His right knee gave out just before quarterback Kirk Cousins delivered a pass intended for tight end Kyle Pitts. With Duck out for the remainder of the season, the Dolphins may look to their practice squad for a replacement, considering players like Isaiah Johnson or Kendall Sheffield, who has been elevated for the last two games.
Safety Concerns Linger
Adding to the Dolphins’ injury woes, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick sustained a thumb injury late in the game against the Falcons. McDaniel mentioned that Fitzpatrick could have returned had the game’s outcome been in question. Meanwhile, Ashtyn Davis’s status remains uncertain for the upcoming game. Davis suffered a quad injury during a punt coverage early in the match and did not return. McDaniel has labeled him as day-to-day, a designation that also applies to wide receiver Dee Eskridge, who is dealing with a shoulder injury.
Injury Report Remains Unchanged
As Miami gears up for the short week ahead, the injury report remains a point of concern. The five players currently on injured reserve or the physically unable to perform list—kicker Jason Sanders and offensive linemen James Daniels, Austin Jackson, Andrew Meyer, and Liam Eichenberg—will not be returning in time for the Ravens matchup. With no clear timetable for their recoveries, the Dolphins continue to navigate a challenging season marred by injuries.
The Dolphins’ resilience will be tested in the coming weeks as they overcome these obstacles and strive to maintain their momentum amidst a string of unfortunate injuries.
