Officially, Miami Dolphins pass rusher Emmanuel Ogbah and safety Jevon Holland are questionable for Sunday’s Week 16 game against the Dallas Cowboys.
But the Dolphins’ Saturday roster moves suggest that the team expects at least one, if not both, to be unavailable on Christmas Eve.
Miami Dolphins Defense Banged Up
Both Holland (two MCL sprains) and Ogbah (strained hamstring) practiced on a limited basis Friday, and the Dolphins had some degree of optimism that both could play Sunday.
But two practice squad elevations Saturday suggested their outlook wasn’t great.
The Dolphins elevated Melvin Ingram from the practice squad for Sunday’s game. Ingram, who had six sacks for the Dolphins in 2022, rejoined the team last week as an insurance policy.
That, in retrospect, was a wise move by Chris Grier.
There’s some uncertainty in the Dolphins’ defensive backfield as well. Holland (who hasn’t played since late November), cornerbacks Xavien Howard (hip) and Cam Smith (hamstring), and safety Elijah Campbell (knee) are all questionable for Sunday’s game.
Howard seems the most likely to play. As for Holland, Mike McDaniel suggested earlier in the week that the team will continue to operate with an abundance of caution.
MORE: Miami Dolphins Depth Chart
“There’s just a lot of guys in those categories that you don’t want to get ahead of yourself,” McDaniel said Friday when asked about Holland and Howard.
“I think Xavien, specifically yesterday, had some encouraging practice and didn’t take a step back. Both of them, I’m not feeling at liberty to say I know what they’re going to feel like tomorrow, let alone after they get some work today. So we’ll progress through that and then make a decision collectively with all parties, including them, involved.”
Added Dolphins defensive coordinator Vic Fangio: “Obviously, we’ve been down some guys as of late, and the guys that have come in have done a nice job. We’ve been that way all year. Jalen [Ramsey] missed the first seven games, Jevon has now missed the last three.
“[Jerome] Baker has missed time. [Howard] missed three games. So it’s been happening all year, but really the only stat I’m worried about is wins and losses. That’s it.”
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