PLAYER NOTES
–CB Bobby McCain is out of concussion protocol and is ready to go against the Colts.
–LT Laremy Tunsil, the key member of the offensive line, missed Miami’s previous game due to a knee injury and was limited in practice on Wednesday.
–WR DeVante Parker just can’t stay healthy. The former first-round pick now has a shoulder injury. He has caught 14 passes this year on 26 targets, averaging 16.1 yards with zero TDs. He has also missed half of Miami’s 10 games this season.
–WR Jakeem Grant, an explosive player, is out for the season due to an Achilles leg injury. He caught 21 passes for 268 yards and two touchdowns. He was targeted 34 times. He also returned one punt for a touchdown and one kickoff for a TD. His averages were 16.3 on punt returns and 29.7 on kickoffs.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: QB Ryan Tannehill. Three weeks ago, he had a stabbing pain every time he tried to throw a football. Now, Tannehill is back. He said the pain has been minimized, but it’s likely Tannehill will be playing with discomfort at the very least. One big hit from a Colts defender could make things go sideways for Miami. Tannehill is 3-2 as a starter this year. His backup, Brock Osweiler, is 2-3.
GAME PLAN: This is not a great time for the Colts to show up on Miami’s schedule. Earlier in the season, when the Colts were on their way to a 1-5 start, would have been preferable for Miami. But that’s now how things have worked out, and the Dolphins now have to figure out a way to slow down Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, who has led Indy to four straight wins. In last week’s 38-10 win over the Tennessee Titans, Luck was impeccable, completing 23-of-29 passes for 297 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions and no sacks. So, yes, Miami’s defense will get a severe test.
On offense, Dolphins HEAD coach Adam Gase will quickly have to ascertain the amount of rust that is present in the game of quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who has missed five consecutive contests due to an injury to his throwing shoulder. It will be interesting to see if Tannehill, adept at running the ball and improved as a deep passer, can play as if he missed no time at all … or if Gase will have to make some adjustments in his play-calls.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
–Dolphins RB Frank Gore vs. Colts LB Darius Leonard. It’s the old man against the kid. Gore, 35, is the veteran, but he still leads the Dolphins in rushing (528 yards) and is averaging 4.5 per rush. Gore, who played the past three seasons for the Colts, has also caught nine passes out of 12 times targeted, and he could run into Leonard several times on Sunday in blitz pickup. Leonard, a rookie second-round pick from South Carolina State, has been a revelation this year with an NFL-leading 104 tackles, five sacks and four forced fumbles. In last Sunday’s win over the Titans, Leonard had an interception, a forced fumble and a sack.
–Dolphins DE Cameron Wake vs. Colts LT Anthony Castonzo. Wake, 36, is coming to the end of a brilliant career. He still leads Miami with 3.5 sacks, but it’s a low number. He had 10.5 sacks just last season and has been to five Pro Bowls. This year, though, he has missed two games due to injury, and it remains to be seen how much he has left in the tank for the stretch run. Castonzo, 30, is a former first-round pick from Boston College who is in the prime of his career. He missed the beginning of this season due to injuries, but has started five consecutive games entering this weekend. During those five games, the Colts have allowed just one sack. If the line keeps that up this Sunday, Colts quarterback Andrew Luck could have a big game.
