The Miami Dolphins did not capture the AFC East crown this season, but made the playoffs for the second year in a row. Next up for Mike McDaniel and Co. will be the Kansas City Chiefs, but the Dolphins will be without a few key contributors on the defensive side of the ball.
By NFL Media, the Dolphins will not have linebackers Jerome Baker or Andrew Van Ginkel on Saturday. Baker had wrist surgery and could miss the entire playoffs. Van Ginkel is dealing with a foot injury that could also cost him the entire playoffs. Additionally, linebacker Cam Goode tore his patella tendon and finished out the year, while coach McDaniel says the Dolphins “don’t anticipate” star cornerback Xavien Howard playing against Kansas City due from his foot injury. by NFL Media.
“We have competent players at all levels and the team doesn’t use that as an excuse,” McDaniel said. via SI.com.
Van Ginkel had a career year in 2023 as a passer, with 69 combined tackles, six sacks, eight tackles for loss, 19 QB hits, eight passes defended and an interception that he returned for a touchdown. This is a huge loss for the Dolphins, especially since Miami lost passer Bradley Chubb to a torn ACL last week, and Jaelan Phillips to a torn Achilles two years ago. month. Melvin Ingram, who just joined Miami last month, and Emmanuel Ogbah could be Miami’s starting pass rushers against Patrick Mahomes.
In his sixth season with Miami, Baker recorded 78 combined tackles, 1.5 sacks, three passes defended and two interceptions. Duke Riley is someone who could be asked to step in and play alongside David Long Jr. as an inside backer.