CB Howard expected to return for Dolphins
At 7-7, the Miami Dolphins need a minor miracle to make the playoffs. They need to win the remaining two games on their schedule and then get help from other games that need to fall their way.
On Sunday, the Dolphins will host the Jacksonville Jaguars (4-10, who have gone 1-9 since October 7).
The Jaguars went 3-13 in 2016 before ending a 10-year playoff drought with 12 wins in 2017. They started this season 2-0, including a win over the New England Patriots, before completely falling apart.
Jacksonville’s defense, which had six Pro Bowl players last season, earned just one spot this season – cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who made the team for the second year in a row.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins have their own Pro Bowl cornerback in Xavien Howard, who is tied for the NFL lead with seven interceptions.
Howard has missed Miami’s past two games due to a knee injury, but he practiced on Wednesday.
“It’s trending in the right direction,” Dolphins HEAD coach Adam Gase said of Howard’s injury.
Gase said Howard has made big plays in key moments for Miami.
“All of his coverages have been tight,” Gase said. “He’s around the ball all the time. It’s hard to think of too many (cornerbacks) above him.”
However, while Howard may return, Miami running back Frank Gore (foot injury) will miss the rest of the season. Gore, who leads Miami with 722 rushing yards and is averaging 4.6 per carry, has made 122 consecutive starts — a streak that will end on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill is 5-4 in nine starts this season, completing 64.7 percent of his passes for 1,686 yards, 16 touchdowns and six interceptions.
Another Dolphins standout is left tackle Laremy Tunsil, who should have made the Pro Bowl, according to Gase.
“He’s the best tackle in football,” Gase said. “Without him, we can’t do anything.
“When Laremy is in, he’s on an island (one-on-one blocking), and we can double everyone else.”
SERIES HISTORY: 8th regular-season meeting. Dolphins lead series, 4-3. However, Jacksonville won the most recent meeting, beating visiting Miami 23-20 in 2015.
