Miami Dolphins operating again Chase Edmonds (2) runs to scores a landing through the second quarter of an NFL soccer sport in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on Thursday, September 29, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
In 5 weeks, Chase Edmonds — one of many Dolphins’ first pickups in free company — has gone from beginning the opener at operating again to getting only one carry and 10 offensive snaps in Sunday’s Jets sport.
Much of that’s the byproduct of Raheem Mostert’s latest good work; he rushed 15 instances for 69 yards in opposition to Cincinnati and 18 instances for 113 yards in opposition to the Jets.
But there’s extra to it than that. Myles Gaskin, who didn’t get a carry within the first 4 video games, performed forward of Edmonds within the second half in opposition to the Jets and general logged extra snaps (13 to 10) and touches (7 to 1).
“I’m always a big time self reflector,” Edmonds stated. “I’ve got to play better. The last two weeks, I had a couple of uncharacteristic drops, let it get to my head. I think I’ve had more drops the last two weeks than my whole career.”
Mostert is coping with a knee damage however was on the follow area on Thursday after sitting out Wednesday’s session. Asked if he expects to have Mostert on Sunday in opposition to visiting Minnesota (1 p.m., Fox), operating backs coach Eric Studesville stated Thursday that he does, however added that he all the time expects to have all his backs accessible.
Edmonds – who ranked within the prime 20 within the league in yards after contact on receptions for Arizona final season – dropped a possible landing go within the Bengals sport and had one other drop in opposition to the Jets.
He stated coaches didn’t inform him that the drops have been the rationale that he performed sparingly within the second half in opposition to the Jets however “that’s what I [concluded].”
Edmonds, who averaged 5.1 yards per keep on 116 rushes for Arizona final season, is averaging 3.0 on 29 carries this season, properly beneath his profession 4.5 mark.
After getting 12 carries within the opener, he had 5, six, 5 and one carry the previous 5 weeks.
“I’ve got to bounce back,” he stated. “I’ll be back to playing how Chase Edmonds plays. In life, you always have storms you go through. I’ll bounce back and be all right.”
Offensive coordinator Frank Smith stated Edmonds responded properly this week: “Chase’s opportunities are going to come. It’s a long season. We feel good to have two backs we feel really good about. [Edmonds] had an excellent day of practice [Wednesday]. He really challenged himself.”
As for Gaskin, he was happy to get work after being inactive the earlier two weeks.
“It felt good to be out there,” Gaskin stated. “It’s tough as a competitor not to play.”
Gaskin, who began 10 video games final season, had 4 carries for 9 yards in opposition to the Jets and caught 3 passes for twenty-four yards. “I could have affected the game better,” he stated.
NEWS FROM COACHES
▪ Offensive coordinator Smith revealed that proper deal with Austin Jackson is near coming back from an ankle damage. Jackson began the opener however has been on injured reserve the previous 4 weeks; he’s now eligible to be activated and has practiced this week.
“We’re very optimistic and hopeful he will be able to help us this Sunday and the rest of the season,” Smith stated. “He’s done a great job in his rehabilitation.”
Greg Little has began the previous 4 video games at proper deal with in Jackson’s absence.
Why did Brandon Shell – who has been principally been an NFL proper deal with – play left deal with when Terron Armstead went out after eight snaps final week, contemplating the truth that proper deal with Little started his profession as a left deal with?
Smith stated this employees doesn’t imagine in “flipping guys constantly. With our experience, we feel it can be extremely challenging” to flip gamers forwards and backwards between the precise and left sides.
Armstead, who hasn’t practiced for a month, hopes to play by means of a toe damage on Sunday, however it’s unclear if that’s potential.
▪ Quarterbacks coach Darrell Bevell stated Tua Tagovailoa – moreover throwing passes – has been in quarterback conferences this week and is “chomping at the bit” to return. Tagovailoa has been dominated out for Sunday, despite the fact that there’s an opportunity he may clear concussion protocol by then.
Teddy Bridgewater is progressing by means of concussion protocol and was permitted to do non-contact work on Thursday. He would again up Skylar Thompson on Sunday in opposition to Minnesota if Bridgewater clears protocol by the weekend.
LONG VIEW
This shall be an necessary subsequent few months for Hunter Long, who was a wholesome scratch final week whereas rookie Tanner Conner was saved lively for the Jets sport.
This is Long’s probability to make a case for a extra outstanding function this season and in 2023. It’s broadly presumed that Mike Gesicki will transfer on after the season; he’s seemingly not a perfect match for an offensive system that locations extra emphasis on tight finish blocking that earlier Dolphins programs.
Long got here out of Boston College as a sophisticated receiver. The Dolphins have pushed him to grow to be a greater blocker.
Playing on this system “has helped me immensely developing all aspects of my game,” Long stated. “I’m a lot better as a blocker. It’s something I’ve always had to work on.”
Durham Smythe missed follow with a hamstring damage on Wednesday however was again on Thursday. If he can not play Sunday, Long may have a major function.
If Smythe can not play on Sunday, do the Dolphins have sufficient blocking amongst Gesicki, Long and Conner to run their whole offense?
“There’s also options as far as schemes,” Smith stated. “If Durham can’t make it, we have a plan.”
Barry Jackson has written for the Miami Herald since 1986 and has written the Florida Sports Buzz column since 2002.
