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 SPOTLIGHT: CB Xavien Howard, a second-round pick in 2016, has emerged as a star with three interceptions in three games. He also picked off Tom Brady last year and is now perhaps the key part of a secondary that leads the NFL in interceptions (seven) and opponents’ passer rating. Miami is also tied for the NFL lead in fewest TD passes allowed (two).
GAME PLAN: The Dolphins, off to a 3-0 start, have to be feeling confident. But they have lost nine straight games at New England. To beat the Patriots, the Dolphins likely have to continue to play loose, just as they did last week against the Raiders, when wide receiver Albert Wilson threw a TD pass on a trick play.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
–Patriots WRs Phillip Dorsett and Chris Hogan vs. Dolphins CB Bobby McCain. Dorsett is a former Miami Hurricanes star, and Hogan was once with the Dolphins. The Patriots lost receiver Danny Amendola to the Dolphins in free agency, and their other top wideout, Julian Edelman, has one more game to serve as part of his suspension. That leaves Dorsett as the deep threat, and Hogan works the underneath routes. On the other side, McCain, a fifth-round pick in 2015, broke in as a nickel corner and may be the player New England targets in the passing game. New England probably will avoid Miami’s other cornerback, Xavien Howard.
–Dolphins RBs Kenyan Drake and Frank Gore vs. Patriots LB Dont’a Hightower. Drake emerged as a starter last year and averaged 4.8 yards per rush. This year, he is averaging just 3.5 yards. Gore is 35 years old — retirement age for more than 95 percent of running backs. But Gore is averaging 4.1 yards per rush and is more rested in this role. He could be dangerous.
Hightower, a first-round pick in 2012 out of Alabama, has been a star virtually his entire career. But he played just five games last season due to a torn pectoral muscle and a knee injury. This year, he has a forced fumble and a recovered fumble in three games. But the Patriots’ defense ranks 31st in the NFL against the rush. Hightower needs to step up if New England is to win.
