The Miami Dolphins were able to keep the good times rolling in Week 16. They picked up a victory over the Dallas Cowboys, pushing their record to 11-4 and clinching a playoff spot in the process. It was their second straight win and fifth out of their six games since their bye week.
The Dolphins will be playing in the postseason for the second straight year and are one step closer to winning the AFC East for the first time since 2008. They can achieve that by defeating the Baltimore Ravens in Week 17.
That game has bigger implications than just the AFC East title, as the winner will have the inside track to earning the No. 1 seed in the AFC as well. That is something both teams want, but the Dolphins could be at a disadvantage when the teams face off Sunday afternoon.
According to Miami head coach Mike McDaniel, star wide receiver Jaylen Waddle is dealing with a high ankle injury. Waddle was forced out of the game againt the Cowboys with what was originally described as a shin injury, by McDaniel revealed it was “more of a high ankle” issue as the team gathers more information, per Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.
High ankle injuries are always tough to navigate and depending on the severity, are multi-week ailments. But, the Dolphins’ head coach was optimistic about Waddle, citing his rapid returns from injury in the past.
The wide receiver position has been hit hard by injuries in Miami. Tyreek Hill has been dealing with an ankle injury suffered in Week 14 against the Tennessee Titans on Monday Night Football. He was supposed to be on a snap count against the Cowboys but that plan at to be adjusted when Robbie Chosen suffered a concussion and was ruled out of the Chirstmas Eve matchup.
Waddle made his impact felt right away against Dallas. He caught a 50-yard pass on the team’s opening drive, but he was limited to only 28 snaps because of eye and the lower-body injury. Hill played 55 out of 65 snaps as a result of the team being short-handed.
Going up against a talented Ravens defense, the Dolphins would certainly love to have all hands on deck. Baltimore is coming off a statement victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football, cementing their status as contenders.
Defeating Baltimore when you are at full-strength is hard enough; doing it potentially without one of your top weapons, as Miami may have to do, will present a whole different level of challenging.
More must-reads: