Dolphins place another running back on COVID list
When the Miami Dolphins return from this week’s bye to begin preparation for next Sunday’s home game against the New York Jets, it is possible that the team’s troublesome rushing attack could be facing a tailback shortage.
Myles Gaskin, the Dolphins’ leading rusher, was placed on the COVID-19 reserve list on Friday after testing positive for the coronavirus. And on Saturday, Salvon Ahmed, his college teammate at Washington and close friend, also tested positive and was placed on the list.
Because both tailbacks are vaccinated it is possible they could be removed from the COVID-19 list before next Sunday’s home game against the New York Jets.
League rules state that a vaccinated player must return two negative tests more than 24 hours apart to be reactivated after testing positive. However, at this point, the Dolphins should be more concerned about the virus spreading inside their locker room.
Gaskin and Ahmed became the first Dolphins to be placed on the COVID list since Sept. 6, when tight end Adam Shaheen and offensive lineman Austin Jackson tested positive the week leading up to the opener against the New England Patriots.
Gaskin, who leads the team in rushing with 526 yards on 154 carries, has scored the most touchdowns on the team with seven (three rushing and four as a receiver). He also has 45 catches for 217 yards.
Ahmed is second on the team in rushing attempts (54), gaining 149 yards. He’s also caught 12 passes for 117 yards.
The Dolphins, who average an NFL-worst 3.3 rushing yards per game, are thin at the position after Patrick Laird was placed on injured reserve Wednesday.
However, it is possible that Malcolm Brown, who served as a starter earlier this season, could return from the knee injury that forced him to be placed on injured reserve in October. Brown, who has 125 yards and one touchdown on 33 carries, has been working out with trainers the past two weeks and appears to be ready to return to practice.
The Dolphins also recently acquired Phillip Lindsay, a former Pro Bowl player who was claimed off waivers in late November. Lindsay has amassed 2,722 yards on 596 carries and 20 touchdowns in his four NFL seasons. He missed last Sunday’s win over the New York Giants with an ankle injury.
The Dolphins also have ex-Hurricanes star Duke Johnson and former Cincinnati Bengals standout Gerrid Doaks on the practice squad. One of them could be promoted and made available to play against the Jets.