Patriots Face Injuries In Miami
New England enters Week 8 missing key receivers and guards, but holds a seven-point betting edge against the 1-5 Dolphins.
By Natalia Costa ·
The New England Patriots travel to Miami Sunday to face the Dolphins, a contest where the host team holds a 1-5 record while New England is favored by seven points with a total of 43.5. The Patriots enter the game with notable gaps in their offensive lineup, including three wide receivers and two starting guards on injured reserve.
Head coach Mike Vrabel acknowledged the Dolphins’ offensive structure during the week. He noted that Miami shifts motion on every play and runs the ball effectively. Vrabel specifically praised defensive players Chop Robinson, Zach Sieler, and Jordyn Brooks, stating that the Dolphins have continued to improve and are motivated by their home crowd.
The wide receiver position presents the most immediate challenge for the Patriots. Romeo Doubs, Mack Hollins, and A.J. Brown are all on injured reserve. This leaves Efton Chism, DeMario Douglas, and Kyle Williams as the only healthy options on the 53-man roster. The team is expected to elevate a receiver from the practice squad, with Ryan Miller, Chandler Brayboy, Cameron Dorner, and Kyle Dixon as the candidates. Miller, who began the season with Miami, is the most experienced choice among these four.
With the receiving corps depleted, the role of the tight ends expands. Hunter Henry and rookie Eli Raridon are positioned to play in multiple alignments, including inline, outside, and in the slot. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and tight ends coach Thomas Brown have indicated that the offense may run plays typically designed for wide receivers using two-tight end sets.
The offensive line must also adapt. Left guard Alijah Vera-Tucker and right guard Mike Onwenu are out for the season. Matt Pryor is expected to start at right guard, following a performance in the recent loss to the Bears that earned praise from Vrabel. Walter Rouse and Ben Brown are the options at left guard, with Brown having returned to practice this week after a knee injury kept him out of Week 7.
On the ground, Rhamondre Stevenson and Corey Kiner will likely share carries after TreVeyon Henderson was ruled out with an illness. The Patriots also signed running back Lan Larison from the practice squad on Saturday, potentially adding a passing option to the backfield. The defense aims to limit the Dolphins’ rushing attack, which ranks seventh in the league with 131.5 yards per game.
New England’s secondary should be fully healthy for the first time since Week 1, as Carlton Davis III is expected to return from a neck injury. The team also seeks to reduce its turnover ratio, which stands at minus-seven, placing the Patriots 31st in the league. The offense has thrown eight interceptions and fumbled six times through seven weeks, a statistic Vrabel previously called an embarrassment.
