Blake Ferguson has been as dependable as any Miami Dolphins player since entering the league in 2020.
But his streak of 72 straight appearances ends Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts.
The Dolphins on Saturday placed Ferguson on the reserve/non-football illness list, a surprising decision that will keep him out for at least the next four games. His replacement? Matt Overton, a former Pro Bowler who turned 39 in July.
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Overton was signed to the team’s practice squad and then activated to the game-day roster ahead of their flight to the Midwest. He has appeared in 139 games with the Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Chargers, Dallas Cowboys, and Tennessee Titans, but not since 2022.
We know little at this point about the nature of Ferguson’s illness. He appeared on the team’s Friday injury report as a limited participant, but the team listed “personal” as the reason why.
Last time out, Ferguson skipped a snap that resulted in a missed field goal against the New England Patriots, probably his worst mistake in his five-year career.
“There’s technique stuff that we’ll talk about, schematic stuff that we will spend a lot of time talking about, but when guys mess up, they know they mess up,” Dolphins special teams coordinator Danny Crossman said this week. “They don’t need me reminding them; they know that.”
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Although Ferguson is out, wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and safety Jevon Holland are traveling with the team to Indianapolis. That means that, if their health allows, they could play Sunday. If the Dolphins had left them at home, both players would have been ruled out.
Beckham missed practice Friday with a hamstring and personal reasons. Our sense is he will play Sunday.
Holland is far less likely with a broken hand; the team likely tipped its hand regarding his status by elevating Nik Needham from the practice squad.
Offensive tackle Austin Jackson (back) and Emmanuel Ogbah (bicep) also traveled with the team.
More Dolphins moves Saturday:
- Cam Smith has been ruled out, meaning he will remain on injured reserve for at least one more week. The Dolphins must decide by Wednesday whether to activate him or keep him on IR for the rest of the season.
- Finally, Tim Boyle will presumably serve as Snoop Huntley’s backup instead of Skylar Thompson. The Dolphins signed Boyle to their active roster off their practice squad Saturday.