PLAYER NOTES
–WR/RS Jakeem Grant is the first player in Dolphins history to score via punt return, kickoff return and reception in the same season. He is also the second player in NFL history to have a 100-plus-yard kickoff return, 70-plus-yard punt return and a 50-plus-yard reception, all for scores, in the same season.
–Rookie K Jason Sanders is 6-for-6 on field goals this year, including a 47-yarder in overtime last Sunday to beat the Chicago Bears.
–CB Bobby McCain, a starter, was limited in practice Wednesday due to a knee injury. McCain has missed the past two games and is questionable to play on Sunday.
–QB Ryan Tannehill (shoulder) was limited in practice on Wednesday. He missed last week’s home game against the Chicago Bears. Tannehill is expected to return this season, perhaps even this week. But exactly when he will be back is a mystery at the moment.
–DE Andre Branch (knee) was limited in practice Wednesday. The Dolphins have been nearly crippled at defensive end this season. Branch’s return this week, if he can pull it off, would at least provide depth.
–DE Cam Wake was limited in practice on Wednesday. He has missed the past two weeks due to arthroscopic knee surgery and is questionable for Sunday.
–S Maurice Smith was signed after having been waived on Oct. 15. Smith, who entered the NFL as an undrafted player in 2017, has played in 10 career games, all with the Dolphins.
–P Matt Haack ranks fifth in the NFL this year with 14 punts downed inside the 20.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: WR Albert Wilson, 26, has earned everything he has received in the NFL. He went undrafted out of Georgia State but still made the Kansas City Chiefs, starting two games as a rookie in 2014. After four years with the Chiefs, he signed as a free agent with the Dolphins, who allowed superstar receiver Jarvis Landry to bolt to the Cleveland Browns.
So far, the Dolphins look brilliant for signing Wilson, who had a breakout game in last week’s win over the Chicago Bears, catching six passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns. It was his 75-yard catch and run in the fourth quarter that forced overtime. Against the Oakland Raiders on Sept. 23, Wilson had another big game, catching a 74-yard TD pass and throwing a 52-yard TD on a trick play to Jakeem Grant. Overall, Wilson is on pace for a career year this season. He has 23 catches, including four for touchdowns, which is already a career high. And his 15.6 yards per catch would be a career high if it holds up year-long.
GAME PLAN: The Dolphins will want to wear down the Lions by using their 1-2 running back duo of veteran pounder Frank Gore and speedy youngster Kenyan Drake. The Dolphins are 3-0 at home this season, and the Lions are 0-2 on the road.
In addition, the Dolphins are 6-1 since 2016 when the temperature is at least 85 degrees. It’s still hot in Miami at this time of the year, and that could once again work in favor of the Dolphins.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
–Dolphins LB Kiko Alonso vs. Lions RB Kerryon Johnson. Alonso had 115 tackles last season and is always around the ball, at least on running plays. Johnson, a rookie second-round pick out of Auburn, is averaging 5.7 yards per rush, which ranks tied for fourth in the NFL this season. He led the SEC in rushing last season, earning the league’s award for Offensive Player of the Year.
–Dolphins CBs Xavien Howard, Cordrea Tankersley and Torry McTyer vs. Lions WRs Golden Tate, Marvin Jones Jr. and Kenny Golladay. Howard is a standout corner on one side, but Tankersley and McTyer are having to step up due to the injury to starter Bobby McCain. All three will have to be stellar because Detroit has one of the best receiver groups in the NFL. Tate and Golladay are on pace to each surpass 1,300 yards this season, and Jones is also dangerous. In fact, Jones had 61 catches for 1,101 yards and nine touchdowns last season, leading the NFL with 18 yards per reception. He catches almost everything thrown his way. Tate led the league last year in yards after the catch. Since 2014, Tate leads NFL receivers in broken tackles. Golladay, at 6-4, 215 pounds, is a load in the red zone and had more 40-plus-yard catches than any other rookie in 2017.
