After cracking a rib in the preseason finale, Dolphins rookie running back Jay Ajayi was placed on injured reserve/designated for return.
He could be activated in time for this weekend’s game, and Ajayi is hoping he gets a chance to make an impact.
“I would probably say this has been the longest eight weeks of my life,” Ajayi told reporters.
A couple big games by Lamar Miller have helped the Dolphins’ run game, and Jonas Gray, who was initially on the practice squad after being cut by the Patriots, has been more involved in recent weeks. But a healthy Ajayi could probably still be at least a part-time contributor.
An early entry to the draft out of Boise State, Ajayi slipped to the fifth round of last spring’s draft amid public chatter about a potential knee injury. In the final preseason game, he carried nine times for 66 yards and added two catches for 37 yards before the injury.
Ajayi returned to practice two weeks ago, as soon as he was eligible.
“I’m ready to get it going,” Ajayi said. “I feel like I’m an all-around back that can also make big plays for this team.”