The Dolphins weren’t expecting to get running back Daniel Thomas back in the lineup two weeks after he hurt his ankle, but it’s a good thing they did.
Thomas was needed to play a featured role in the offense in the second half against the Steelers because Lamar Miller was forced out of the game with a concussion. Miller is in the league’s concussion protocol now and his status will be monitored throughout the week in hopes that he can be cleared in time to face the Patriots.
If he can’t, the Dolphins will need to hope for more of the same from Thomas. Thomas ran for 105 yards in Sunday’s win, which earned him praise for playing hurt from offensive coordinator Mike Sherman.
“There is a certain amount of mental toughness that plays a part in it,” Sherman said, via the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. “He wasn’t 100 percent but he played as if he was. There’s one thing to play with some pain and another things to play well with some pain, and he certainly played well.”
The Dolphins lost to the Ravens, giving Baltimore the tiebreaker should the two teams finish in tie when the regular season comes to a close. The Dolphins, therefore, can’t really afford a loss and they may have to lean heavily on Thomas again this week to avoid one.