Don’t be surprised if the clock strikes midnight for one Miami Dolphins player after Sunday’s 19-9 loss to the Detroit Lions
The Miami Dolphins fell to 1-7 on the season with a 19-9 loss to Detroit on Sunday. Don’t be surprised if it’s the last time we see one member of the roster suit up for the team
The Miami Dolphins‘ 19-9 loss at the hand of the Detroit Lions in Week 9 was a bit of a mixed bag. Miami played inspired on defense, offering one of the best efforts of the season against perhaps the NFL’s top-ranked offense.
The offense? Not much to like. Special teams? Probably even less to like than that. Miami struggled to move the ball with consistency. Yet, somehow, the special teams performance was even more frustrating. Miami endured a series of miscues — and it could ultimately lead to the end of the road. Because the Dolphins must make a decision on kicker Zane Gonzalez this week. And he didn’t help his case.
Kicker Zane Gonzalez is out of practice squad elevations — and missed another field goal ahead of Miami’s roster decision
“At the half, you have a chance to go in against that team with momentum, 6-6 and you’re getting the ball, and we have to make those kicks,” said head coach Jeff Hafley in the post-game press conference. It marks the second consequential miss in the last two weeks — Gonzalez missed a fourth-quarter field goal attempt last week that could have pulled Miami within one score of the Patriots in what was ultimately a five point loss, 24-19.
This week, Gonzalez clanged a field goal off the right upright at halftime. The miss left Miami trailing at the half in a deficit they never recovered from the rest of the way.
Gonzalez, of course, replaced Riley Patterson after Miami’s Week 6 bye week. But the Dolphins aren’t using a 53-man roster spot on him. And, according to NFL roster procedures, they are out of practice squad elevations. That means Miami must either elevate Gonzalez to the 53-man roster at the expense of someone else, or find a new kicker to stash on the practice squad and kick for three weeks instead. Based on the missed opportunities as of late, it’s hard to imagine Gonzalez will bump someone else off the roster to keep a spot and stay long-term.
Perhaps he will. But he didn’t help his case by leaving points on the field. Again.
Miami Dolphins News