Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has thrown for 680 yards and nine touchdowns over the last two games, so Sunday would be a good day for the Dolphins to have as many of their defensive backs as possible on hand.
They already know they won’t have cornerback Xavien Howard, however, and another one of the most important players in that position group might not be able to go this weekend. Safety Reshad Jones missed Wednesday’s practice with a groin injury and Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald reports he’s unlikely to practice on Thursday or Friday either.
That doesn’t sound like the path to a spot in the lineup this weekend, but Dolphins coach Adam Gase isn’t going to rule anything out ahead of time.
“A game-time decision,” Gase said.
The Dolphins’ defense ranks 28th in the league in yards allowed, a ranking heavily influenced by allowing more rushing yards than any other team in the league. Their difficulties in that area could be exploited by Le’Veon Bell this weekend, although a Jones-free secondary would offer Pittsburgh a variety of avenues to attack Miami’s defense on Sunday.