The Miami Dolphins came into Week 18 facing an uphill battle against their AFC East rivals, the New England Patriots. While Miami is headed to the offseason once the game ends, the Patriots have claimed
the AFC East division title for this year and enter the week with a chance to claim home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. The hill only became steeper on Sunday afternoon as the teams released their respective inactive players lists.
The Dolphins have multiple starters who will watch the final game of the year. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick had been ruled out of the game on Friday’s injury report with a calf injury, but he is now joined by running back De’Von Achane, tackle Austin Jackson, linebacker Chop Robinson, and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. The Dolphins’ starting lineup will look very different in Week 18 – and that does not even include former starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who has been relegated to the third-string option the last two weeks and remains there this week.
Tagovailoa is inactive with the emergency quarterback designation. Quarterback Cam Miller, who was signed off the Las Vegas Raiders’ practice squad this week, is also inactive.
Achane was doubtful on the Friday injury report with a shoulder injury. Waddle, Robinson, and Jackson had all been listed as questionable – Waddle with a ribs injury, Robinson with a concussion, and Jackson with back and groin issues.
Interestingly for Miami, running back Donovan Edwards, poached off the Washington Commanders practice squad this week, is active and could see playing time. He likely will serve primarily on special teams, but in a week without Achane, Edwards could see some offensive work as well.
New England, with playoff seeding still on the line, listed linebacker Harold Landry III, linebacker Robert Spillane, tackle Marcus Bryant, guard Jared Wilson, guard Caedan Wallace, nose tackle Khyiris Tonga, and quarterback Tommy DeVito as inactive. DeVito is listed as the emergency quarterback.
Landry (knee), Spillane (ankle), Tonga (foot), and Wilson (concussion) were all ruled out on Friday’s injury report.
The Dolphins and Patriots kick off at 4:25 p.m. Eastern.
