FRIDAY INJURY REPORT
MIAMI DOLPHINS
–DOUBTFUL: CB Xavien Howard (knee)
–QUESTIONABLE: S T.J. McDonald (ankle)
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
–OUT: WR Chad Beebe (hamstring)
–QUESTIONABLE: TE David Morgan (knee), G Mike Remmers (back), DT Sheldon Richardson (hip)
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: RB Kenyan Drake, who scored the winning touchdown in last week’s upset win over the Patriots, has 829 scrimmage yards and nine touchdowns this season. He has shared time with veteran Frank Gore. But while Gore is a grinder, the speedy Drake is a constant threat to go the distance.
GAME PLAN: The Dolphins needed a prayer last week, and they got a miracle instead, rallying to beat the New England Patriots on the last play of the game. This week, a Dolphins victory would be an even bigger surprise considering the game is in Minnesota. To upset the Vikings, the Dolphins will have to move the ball against a defense that is top-five in the NFL in total yards. In other words, the Dolphins offensive line has to pave the way for running backs Frank Gore and Kenyan Drake, quarterback Ryan Tannehill has to be accurate while making good decisions, and the receivers group has to make some big plays.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
–Dolphins FS Reshad Jones vs. Vikings QB Kirk Cousins. Jones is a playmaker, but he seems to be in a slump of late. After intercepting two passes in the season opener, he hasn’t come up with a pick since. He also had one tackle for loss in the opener and just two in the 10 games since. Cousins, meanwhile, has put up impressive numbers all season, passing for 3,698 yards for 24 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He has completed 70.6 percent of his passes.
–Dolphins OLB Kiko Alonso vs. Vikings RB Dalvin Cook. Alonso is one of the top tacklers in the NFL again this season with 116 stops. He has also made numerous big plays with three interceptions, three forced fumbles, three tackles for losses and one fumble recovery. Cook, who played his high school football at Miami Central, will be playing his hometown team. He led the Vikings last week with 55 yards rushing on a solid 4.2 average. For the season, Cook is second on the team in rushing (367 yards) and has that same 4.2 average.
