The Miami Dolphins' injury woes have hit the point of overdrive in the second half of the season. The loss of Jaelan Phillips to an Achilles tear back on November 24 against the New York Jets was a brutal one.  

That said, it was a loss that the Dolphins could potentially absorb and be able to move forward.  Andrew Van Ginkel had been stellar throughout the year, and Bradley Chubb began to play up to his lofty contract and expectations as the season went on.  

However, Chubb tore his ACL in the final minutes of the Dolphins' 56-19 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.  That devastating injury has opened up a sizeable hole on the Dolphins' defense, one they must find a way to address as the season reaches its climax on Sunday night against the Buffalo Bills.  

Does Miami have a solution in house?  Do they need to look outside for pass rushing help?  There's logical arguments for both. 

Taking a shot on a proven free agent

It's late (very late) in the season, but that doesn't mean there aren't a few options available that the Dolphins could at least kick the tires on.  There are two particularly interesting names available that the Dolphins could investigate. 

Frank Clark was a big part of the Chiefs' defensive success during their Super Bowl runs over the previous four years.  However, he was released by the Chiefs in March and has played from Denver and Seattle this year, where his play has been largely ineffective.  Seattle just released him on December 30.  If Miami is swinging for the fences for someone who CAN be a game-changer, he's proven he can be that guy. 

Speaking of proven, the Carolina Panthers recently released Justin Houston.  Houston posted put up 9.5 sacks with the Baltimore Ravens just last season.  Houston has posted a Pro Football Focus grade of 61.2 this season in a reserve role with the Panthers with a pressure rate of 10.1% in 99 pass rushing snaps. 

Neither player is one that comes in with a lot of momentum, but in the NFL, sometimes a new environment and opportunity in a new defensive system can spark a change.  

Rolling with what they have on the team

This seems like the far more likely option, and there's something to be said about familiarity.  Emmanuel Obgah will likely get the first crack at the starting position opposite Andrew Van Ginkel.  Ogbah's season-high snap count this season is 27 against the New York Giants and the Tennessee Titans.  He's totaled 17 pressures in 117 pass rushing snaps for a very solid 14.5% pressure rate.   

The question is: can he take that productivity in a limited role and become a steady and productive force off the edge that Chubb had become?  That's asking a lot, obviously. 

Melvin Ingram is the only other true option on the team at this point.  Ingram was with the Dolphins last season and was productive in a reserve role, tallying 6 sacks in 17 games played.  Miami signed him on December 12 to their practice squad, and he hasn't had much opportunity to show what he can do, with only 21 pass rushing snaps for the Dolphins ever since.  That looks to change moving forward soon, as he will likely team with Obgah on one side with Van Ginkel coming from the other side. 

---

While there are some intriguing names on the free agent heap, it doesn't seem like the Dolphins will grab one to try and fortify the position further.  

It will likely be the case of the next men up (once again) for Miami to try to keep what had been an excellent Dolphins pass rush rolling for what they hope is another month and a half of their season. 

Dolphins’ Mike McDaniel needs more than a flux capacitor after another big mistake

Miami’s head coach is under fire for an unfortunate event late in the loss to the Ravnes