Miami Dolphins’ Secondary in Turmoil as Injuries Decimate Cornerbacks and Safety Depth
The Miami Dolphins have been forced to confront the harsh realities of injuries within their secondary, leading to significant changes ahead of the upcoming games.
Storm Duck and Kendall Sheffield Join Injured Reserve
In a critical update, the Dolphins officially placed cornerback Storm Duck on injured reserve after Coach Mike McDaniel confirmed that the second-year defensive back will miss the remainder of the season due to a knee injury. Duck sustained this injury during the fourth quarter of the Dolphins’ 34-10 victory over the Atlanta Falcons, leaving the field visibly in pain.
This unfortunate setback marks the second time Duck has faced injury issues this season. He missed several weeks after suffering an injury just 29 snaps into the season opener against the Indianapolis Colts. Initially projected as a starter, Duck lost his position to Rasul Douglas, who has since solidified his role in the secondary.
The Dolphins didn’t stop with Duck; they also placed cornerback Kendall Sheffield on the practice squad/injured list after he exited the game against the Falcons with an injury. Sheffield had joined the Dolphins midseason, having previously participated in their offseason program and training camp.
While Miami has yet to fill Duck’s active roster spot, they have re-signed cornerback Ethan Robinson to the practice squad. Robinson, who went undrafted this past spring, showcased his potential during training camp. At Minnesota, he recorded impressive statistics, including 42 tackles, three tackles for loss, and three interceptions during his collegiate career.
Ongoing Secondary Woes
The Dolphins’ secondary has been plagued by injuries throughout the season. Key players like Kader Kohou and Artie Burns suffered serious knee injuries during the preseason, with Kohou’s absence being particularly impactful. Further complicating matters is the loss of slot cornerback Cornell Armstrong, who was stepping in for Jason Marshall Jr. after Marshall was placed on injured reserve following a Week 3 loss to Buffalo.
On a more positive note, the Dolphins have opened a 21-day return window for Marshall, who missed Week 8. If all goes well, he could return to the field in time to face the Baltimore Ravens, potentially filling the void left by Duck’s injury.
Safety Depth in Jeopardy
The situation is equally precarious at the safety position. Injuries have sidelined Minkah Fitzpatrick, Ashtyn Davis, and Ifeatu Melifonwu, with Melifonwu being the only one able to finish the game against the Falcons. Coach McDaniel indicated that Fitzpatrick should be ready to play on Thursday against the Ravens, as he was listed as a full participant in Monday’s estimated practice report. In contrast, Davis did not participate, and Melifonwu was limited.
Further straining the safety depth, backup Elijah Campbell has missed the last three games due to a quad injury, and Jordan Colbert appears to have transitioned to linebacker. The Dolphins find themselves in a precarious situation with their safety depth, and with the cornerback depth taking another hit this week, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the team add another player to bolster their defensive backfield.
As the Dolphins navigate these challenges, the resilience of both their roster and coaching staff will be put to the test in the coming weeks.
