FRIDAY INJURY REPORT
MIAMI DOLPHINS
–OUT: LB Chase Allen (foot), DE Andre Branch (knee), TE A.J. Derby (foot)
–QUESTIONABLE: DT Davon Godchaux (ankle), S Reshad Jones (shoulder), WR DeVante Parker (quadricep), DE Cameron Wake (knee), T Sam Young
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
–QUESTIONABLE: T Marcus Cannon (calf), S Patrick Chung (concussion), CB Keion Crossen (hamstring), S Nate Ebner (hip), DE Trey Flowers (concussion), WR Josh Gordon (hamstring), DE Geneo Grissom (ankle), TE Rob Gronkowski (ankle), TE Jacob Hollister (chest), LB Brandon King (foot), CB Eric Rowe (groin)
PLAYER NOTES
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: WR Phillip Dorsett. The fourth-year wide receiver in his second year with the Patriots, had 12 receptions in the first two games. He had zero in the loss the Lions Sunday Night. If the Patriots are to take the pressure off TE Rob Gronkowski, Dorsett will need to play well. Tom Brady tried to force the ball to Dorsett Sunday and it resulted in an interception. Dorsett must know his routes better in order to be a reliable contributor. He has improved a lot since the Patriots acquired him at the end of the 2017 training camp. He had only 12 receptions in 2017 season.
GAME PLAN: Offensively, the Pats will need to block the top-notch pass rushers Robert Quinn and Cameron Wake, who has given the Patriots a lot of trouble over the years. One way to beat a strong pass rusher is throw the ball quickly. “You’ve got to definitely get the ball out quick,” tight end Rob Gronkowski said. “I would say that definitely disturbs the defenses pretty well, if you can get the ball out quick and make yards. So definitely that’s what you want to do when you’ve got good pass-rushers on the other side of the ball.”
The Pats need Sony Michel to have a good game in order to combat the Dolphins’ passing game. Michel needs to improve in short yardage situations.
Defensively, the Patriots’ defensive backs need to have a good game in coverage against a good Miami wide receiving corps of Kenny Stills, Devante Parker and former Pats WR Danny Amendola. The Patriots have struggled in pass coverage the past two games. CB Stephon Gilmore gave up two touchdowns last week.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “He’s just studying his playbook every time I see him. He’s in the playbook, just studying and just trying to get better.” — TE Rob Gronkowski on how Josh Gordon has been spending his time.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
–Dolphins WR Kenny Stills vs. Patriots CB Stephon Gilmore. Gilmore, who gave up two touchdowns to the Lions Sunday night, must rebound and stop the Dolphins’ lead wide receiver.
–Patriots LT Trent Brown vs. Dolphins DE Robert Quinn. Brown must show he can handle the speed of a good pass rusher like Quinn. Quinn can be disruptive especially with DE Cameron Wake on the other side for the Dolphins.
