(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
With an 11-6 regular-season record, the Miami Dolphins are in the playoffs for only the fourth time in the last 20 years, and for the first time in seemingly forever, they have at least a puncher’s shot at reaching the Super Bowl.
However, they ended the regular season by blowing a lead and losing to the Buffalo Bills, which cost them the opportunity to win the AFC East and claim the second seed in the conference.
To make matters worse, Miami’s injury woes have continued, as cornerback Xavien Howard, wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, and running back Raheem Mostert are banged up.
While head coach Mike McDaniel is “optimistic” about Waddle and Mostert playing in Saturday’s playoff game versus the Kansas City Chiefs, he is “not planning” on Howard being able to suit up, per Cameron Wolfe.
Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel said they are “not planning” for CB Xavien Howard to play Saturday vs. Chiefs.
LB Cam Goode also tore his patella tendon and will be out for the season.
Good news McDaniel reiterates he’s optimistic about Jaylen Waddle & Raheem Mostert chances to play.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) January 8, 2024
Howard has been one of the NFL’s best cornerbacks for a while, and although he wasn’t selected to take part in this year’s Pro Bowl, he did put up 12 passes defended and an interception in 13 games.
In his eight pro seasons, he has four Pro Bowl selections and one All-Pro First-Team nod to his name.
One of the knocks on the Dolphins is their defense, which ended the season ranked 22nd in points allowed and 25th in passing touchdowns given up.
They have also had lots of trouble defeating teams with winning records — their only win versus such a team this year came in Week 16 when they beat the Dallas Cowboys by a mere two points.
If Howard isn’t able to play this weekend, Miami will have their hands even more full going up against the defending world champs and two-time MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
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