2 min read • August 14, 2021
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Miami Dolphins
QB Tua Tagovailoa -
Tua missed one game in 2020 with a thumb injury, and started over Ryan Fitzpatrick the second half of the year. As a rookie, his play was subpar, and was dealing with lingering ankle/hip issues. Despite a significant injury history, we were optimistic about the health of the Dolphins’ 2020 draft pick in his rookie year. From the in-game posts on his dislocated hip before an official diagnosis was publicly released, to the surgical reports and then the numerous work out videos, no player was more chronicled, studied and followed in last year’s draft process. His two ankle surgeries are hardly a concern in our eyes, while his hip does come with risk of complications including long term degenerative arthritis and avascular necrosis (loss of blood flow). Physically and mentally, this should be a key year for Tua and he is in position to potentially break out. The biggest question which could affect his sophomore performance is how this offense is going to look with Chan Gailey out of the picture. Running backs coach Eric Studesville and tight ends coach George Godsey will be co-offensive coordinators, and it will be interesting to see what this unit will look like on the field.
RB Myles Gaskin -
Late in the Miami Dolphins’ Week 8 win over the Los Angeles Rams, running back Miles Gaskin suffered a sprained MCL. He was officially placed on injured reserve and missed four games while missing another two games due to COVID-19. Although there is typically residual laxity, an MCL sprain usually does not have any long-term effect. On the year, Gaskin finished with 584 rush yards, 388 receiving yards and five touchdowns, showing a lot of versatility in an offense looking for an identity. Physically, Gaskin is poised for a big year, and is set to be the lead back on offense.
WR DeVante Parker -
The Dolphins top wideout dealt with a nagging hamstring that caused him to miss two of the final three games of the season and must have been especially hard to play with as his team was in playoff contention at the time. With offseason work, the hamstring should be good to go, and Parker is back in line to be the team’s leading receiver. Parker did start camp on the PUP list with an unknown soft tissue injury but has since been activated. He finished 2020 with 63 catches for 793 yards and four scores, and will hope to develop a stronger connection with Tua.
WR Jaylen Waddle -
The new Miami Dolphin suffered an ankle fracture dislocation and defied odds to return in just under three months after surgery. He was able to suit up and play in the National Championship game but noticeably limped and only managed three catches for 34 yards. Whether he should have played is a different question. Assuming an anatomic reduction was achieved at surgery, ultimately there should be full recovery heading into his first pro season. Before the major injury, Waddle was dynamic on the field, averaging 21.1 yards per catch in his final season at Alabama while amassing 17 receiving touchdowns in his three-year college career. Former Chargers and Eagles running back Darren Sproles had a similar injury with surgery early in his NFL career before continuing to have a long and productive career.
WR Preston Williams -
Williams injured his foot after a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 8 last season. Initially, we didn’t think it was serious but Williams headed to injured reserve where he stayed for the rest of the season. He spent the offseason recovering from foot surgery he had in November and this is now the second straight year he has suffered a season ending injury as he was coming off a torn ACL in 2019. He started training camp on the PUP list as the foot issue has lingered. We were hoping for a breakout return year in 2020, but the lingering foot issue is cause for concern.
OL Austin Jackson -
The rookie OL was placed on IR after suffering a foot injury which caused him to miss four weeks. Not much details were released on the exact injury but the OL was able to play without missing another game and should be healthy for this year. Jackson remains their incumbent starter at left tackle for the Miami Dolphins. .
LB Elandon Roberts -
The starting linebacker suffered a significant right knee injury in late December that required surgery. He has said he is not rushing back and has acknowledged it is an uphill battle to return. Roberts has refused to say if he will be ready for the opener on Sep 12, and the expectation is to start the season on the PUP list. Newcomer Benardrick McKinney will fill his role and likely relegating Roberts to a depth role.
CB Byron Jones -
The star cornerback dealt with a pesky groin injury that caused him to miss two early games but was healthy to finish out the 2020 season. The hope and expectation is that his groin issues are behind him, and he’ll continue to be a fantastic complement to Xavien Howard in the secondary.
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