The Miami Dolphins are still licking the wounds suffered during their loss to their division foe Buffalo Bills on Sunday. The loss was not only devastating from a fan morale and division standing perspective, but because key players on the team were lost in the process. Gone for 4 to 8 weeks is running back Knowshon Moreno, who suffered a hyper extended elbow in the 1st quarter against the Bills. Right guard Shelley Smith was also lost with a grade 2 knee sprain according to the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson, and expected to be out for 2 to 4 weeks.
Some moves were immediately needed and none more important than at right guard, because of last years’ struggles and lack of depth at that spot. Moving forward, the Dolphins may resort to 2nd year player Dallas Thomas, who had been originally slated to flank the center on the right, but lost the starting job after a poor performance in the preseason against the Cowboys. Standing by for the Dolphins, is ever reliable utility man Nate Gardner ready to step in, if Thomas fails to do well.
Moreno, who ran for 134 yards in the season opener against New England, will be very hard to replace. The best the Dolphins can hope for is that the combination of Lamar Miller and rookie Damien Williams, will give Miami a credible running game. However, the Dolphins signed former running back Daniel Thomas to maybe light a fire under Miller and Williams and help on special teams.
Meanwhile, the Dolphin fan base received a rare dose of good news today, when Pro Bowl Center Mike Pouncey started working out again. Pouncey has been sidelined since the pre-season with a hip injury that required surgery, and was expected to miss up to eight weeks. Pouncey has not been cleared by team doctors to play, but he is finally working out and says he‘s feeling ready. This cannot be better news for a team whose offensive line struggles have continued since their dismal season of one year ago.