The Miami Dolphins had two of their top veterans miss Wednesday practice ahead of Sunday’s game with the Buffalo Bills due to injury.
Cornerback Xavien Howard was held out of team drills with a groin injury, and left tackle Terron Armstead did not participate while still recovering from the toe injury that he played through in last Sunday’s win at the Baltimore Ravens.
Howard had a rough game in Baltimore, burned by receiver Rashod Bateman for a 75-yard touchdown and later unable to catch up with quarterback Lamar Jackson on his 79-yard touchdown run.
Armstead initially hurt his toe in the opener against the New England Patriots. He started and played Sunday against the Ravens despite the ailment. Last week, he also missed Wednesday practice while being a limited participant Thursday and Friday, but veteran rest was also listed on the injury report as a reason for his practice limitations. This week, only the toe injury was listed.
Dolphins tight ends Cethan Carter and Hunter Long were the two other Dolphins to miss Wednesday drills due to injury after they were out for Sunday’s game.
Their absence leaves the Dolphins in a precarious position with their depth at tight end, although Miami already has more tight ends than most teams on its roster (five).
While Long (ankle) and Carter (concussion) missed the win over the Ravens, Tanner Conner was available as a reserve behind Mike Gesicki and Durham Smythe. Conner played one offensive snap in Baltimore.
The Dolphins worked out four free-agent tight ends on Monday, according to Pro Football Network, in a precautionary move by coach Mike McDaniel: Darrell Daniels, Ryan Izzo, James O’Shaughnessy and Deon Yelder.
“That was more you try to get in front of potential situations,” McDaniel said before Wednesday’s practice. “We don’t have a situation now, but we were very close to having one. [General manager] Chris Grier and the staff do a great job of staying in front of that stuff, so you get that done on the front so, should we have any more issues at the position, we know exactly where we want to go.
“Right now, we feel good about Hunter and Cethan, in terms of the progress that they’ve made.”
Carter remains in concussion protocol as of Wednesday after exiting the Sept. 11 win against the New England Patriots with the second-quarter head injury.
“I don’t know when the protocol ends, but he’s still protocoled. And that’s the protocol for me to explain that,” McDaniel said. “But he’s doing well and progressing. He was watching walkthrough from a stationary bike, sweating, and that’s always a good sign.”
Additionally, outside linebacker Melvin Ingram sat out Wednesday’s practice to receive a veteran rest day.
Wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr., who left the win over the Ravens with an injury to his ribs, was back on the practice field on Wednesday but in a red, non-contact jersey. McDaniel said on Monday that there were no breaks found in Wilson’s ribs, but he’s dealing with significant pain.
“It’s hurting pretty bad, so it’s going to be a day-to-day situation,” said McDaniel of Wilson, who was officially limited on the injury report. “We’ll see how that progresses. Those are — if you’ve ever had a rib injury — it affects every movement, including breathing.”
Rookie linebacker Channing Tindall (illness) was also limited at Wednesday’s session. Defensive tackle Raekwon Davis (knee), fullback Alec Ingold (shoulder) and Conner (knee) practiced in full on Wednesday.
This story will be updated.
()