The Dolphins return to action in Week 13 following a successful international trip and a well-earned bye. The table is set for Miami to keep their momentum. After winning three of their last four games, the Dolphins could receive reinforcements for Sunday’s tilt against the Saints.
Tackle Austin Jackson had his 21-day window opened ahead of the Week 11 game in Madrid. He didn’t play in that game, but Head Coach Mike McDaniel is encouraged by the progress of the 26-year-old former first-round pick.
“I’m very excited as he is for the uptick and feel very confident about where he’ll be at through the week as long as there’s no setbacks,” McDaniel said. “So, we’ll progress with aggressive temperance.”
Miami also opened the 21-day practice window earlier this week for tight end Darren Waller, who scored four touchdowns in his first three games as a Miami Dolphin.
It’s not clear yet whether Jackson or Waller will be available for Sunday’s game, but these additions could provide expansive wrinkles for a Dolphins offense that has found its stride over the last four games. Miami has pivoted its offensive attack to bigger personnel groupings – more tight ends and offensive linemen in place of wide receivers. The results have been palpable.
The Dolphins have run for 594 yards over the last four games, the most of any four-game stretch this year. With Miami’s smashmouth identity, Waller’s size, athleticism and ball skills are the perfect complement to open the play pass game, particularly in the red zone.
That area, the red zone, was a slog for Miami’s opposition last Sunday. New Orleans had four drives penetrate the 20-yard line but never found the end zone in their 24-10 loss against rival Atlanta. To fix those woes Sunday, the Saints will have to do it without their best player, running back Alvin Kamara. He suffered a knee injury in the loss and didn’t return. He won’t play Sunday in Miami.
The Saints did find the end zone once in the game via a pick-six off Atlanta quarterback Kirk Cousins. Whether Waller and Jackson return or not, the Dolphins have plenty of pieces to move the offense. One of the best players in the NFL this season, at any position, has been Dolphins center Aaron Brewer. He’s started every game the last two years in the pivot for Miami, earning his captain status through his production and leadership.
“My feeling towards Aaron Brewer and his skills are best conveyed through the play calls and the plays that we actually run,” McDaniel said. “That’s because of his ability. He’s all over the place for a reason. I think people are starting to recognize what type of player he is, and I don’t think it’s coincidence that he’s playing this way with a ‘C’ on his chest as he’s earned his ascension as a leader through the locker room and his play has followed suit.”
If the Dolphins can beat the 2-9 Saints, they’ll improve to 5-7 ahead of the annual trip to the Meadowlands where they’ll face the 2-9 Jets. The Dolphins are playing their best football and further ascension could extend the current winning ways.
Make sure to check out the Injury Report and the team’s official social media accounts 90 minutes before kickoff to see who is active for the game.
Watch the game live on Sunday, November 30 at 1:00 p.m. ET on Fox, and listen on the Dolphins Radio Network and view the Game Center for the latest coverage.
