The Dolphins’ Week 9 injury report is trending the right way — and it could pay off for Miami on and off the field
Progress on the injury report should help Miami in more ways than one.
The Miami Dolphins‘ looming matchup against the Baltimore Ravens is a pivotal one for both teams, albeit for different reasons. Miami’s collective braintrust is fighting off the hot seat conversations. The Ravens, per the oddsmakers, are still favored to win the AFC North — but desperately need a second win in five days to jumpstart a potential climb up the rankings.
Miami will face a Ravens team that is as healthy as they’ve been all season, with the exception being Baltimore’s star defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike. The Dolphins, on the other hand, are once again facing the prospect of playing another game with backups on the right side of the line.
Other injury subplots for the Dolphins litter the buildup to this game. Here’s what you need to know.
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Miami’s Tuesday injury report offered two non-participants — safety Ashtyn Davis and tight end Julian Hill. Hill missed Sunday’s contest against the Atlanta Falcons and spurred head coach Mike McDaniel to go “heavy” with a sixth offensive lineman for the first time in his head coaching career. It helped jumpstart a rushing effort that fueled a big Dolphins win. No Hill on a short week seems to indicate Miami will have to roll with a similar package again; that may not be a bad thing in protecting Mike McDaniel from himself.
Miami did not practice Monday and held a walkthrough on Tuesday, so the designations appear to set an even more dire circumstance for forecasting availability for both players. The Dolphins enjoyed good play from rookie safety Dante Trader in Davis’ absence. They should consider themselves in good hands with that transition.
Notable injury statuses on Wednesday for Baltimore Ravens vs. Miami Dolphins in Week 9
- Ravens QB Lamar Jackson – Full participation
- Dolphins EDGE Bradley Chubb – Limited participation
- Dolphins SAF Minkah Fitzpatrick – Full participation
- Ravens OT Ronnie Stanley – Limited participation
- Dolphins TE Julian Hill – Did not participate
The big developments for Miami are in who is trending well, too. The Ravens are set to welcome quarterback Lamar Jackson back to the lineup for this game, which makes the availability of all of Miami’s best defenders essential for their hopes of bottling up the Ravens. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick? Full participation amid a thumb injury. Rookie corner Jason Marshall Jr., who could play in the nickel and free Fitzpatrick up to move around? Full participation.
But it’s the progress of edge defender Bradley Chubb that could move the needle the most. Chubb’s not been the peak version of himself as a player this year amid a return from missing all of 2024. But he’s been better in recent weeks despite the sack production dipping versus the first few weeks of the season. He’s also a central piece of the trade rumors swirling around the Dolphins. Chubb was upgraded to a limited participant on Tuesday’s report with shoulder & foot injuries — while also insisting earlier this week that he’s going to play.
“Yeah, I’ll be good. I’ll be good. It’s just one of those things, you’ve got a short week. Things flare up from the game before, you just want to make sure you get on it and correct it, but I’m all good to go,” said Chubb on Monday.
Miami will need him. And, if the trade phones ring, Miami will need him to be heathy then, too — as the Dolphins would be wise to hear out any offers for talent amid next week’s deadline. Insiders expect at least one pass rusher to be moved, and Chubb being healthy (and putting on a display during a standalone game) could help Miami in more ways than one in the next six days.
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