Dolphins center Connor Williams might have come back from his groin injury a bit earlier than he should have this season. Perhaps as a result of only having a one-game absence, Williams has had to sit out another three games.
Conversely, cornerback Xavien Howard, also slowed by a groin injury, declared himself ready two games ago. He hasn’t been allowed to play.
The Dolphins, it seems, have learned their injury lessons from both last year and this year. As a result, they’re prioritizing being healthy late in the year and in the playoffs over yearlong health.
It appears to be a well-executed plan.
Now, we should issue a word of caution. Let’s not hand out any congratulations just yet. This thing is far from over.
The offensive line could go either way health-wise, and the same for running back and cornerback.
And you still have to hope cornerback Jalen Ramsey didn’t come back from knee surgery too soon (I don’t think he did).
But the plan is coming together.
We all recall how the Dolphins limped into the Buffalo wild-card game last season. They didn’t have quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, left guard Liam Eichenberg, right tackle Brandon Shell, running back Raheem Mostert, edge rusher Bradley Chubb or safety Brandon Jones.
It doesn’t seem history will repeat in that way.
Yes, the Dolphins still have major injury concerns.
At this point, however, all signs point to Howard and Williams returning Sunday against Kansas City in Germany.
Other key players should return soon and figure to be healthy for the stretch run.
Consider how deliberate the Dolphins have been with players returning from injury. It all points to key players such as Howard, Williams, Pro Bowl left tackle Terron Armstead (knee) and running back De’Von Achane (knee) playing together and being as healthy as possible at some point soon after the bye week.
Consider how they’ve managed designating the eight players who could return from injured reserve, even leaving a spot for a player such as wide receiver River Cracraft, their best blocking wide receiver and a core special teams player.
The Dolphins are setting themselves up to make a Super Bowl run. Take a look at how things are framed after Sunday’s showdown against Kansas City in Germany.
The Dolphins get the bye week for additional health concerns to clear up.
After that they get an eight-game regular-season runway that allows them a competitive takeoff for a two- or three-game run to the Super Bowl.
Look at it like an ultra-intense 10- or 11-game season.
Coach Mike McDaniel didn’t frame it in that fashion last week.
But listen to what he said about holding Howard out of the New England game, and consider that he said it was the same deal for Williams.
“Very much so had to look at the big picture and what a setback or nagging issue would do to this team and what we’re trying to do,” McDaniel said.
“I wouldn’t say he enjoyed watching the last game, but he enjoyed doing what was right for the team. And I know he enjoys playing much more than watching.”
The Dolphins want to be as healthy as possible for this crucial second part of the season, give themselves a chance to see what they’ve built.
The good thing is, most of this stretch run could happen at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins finish with four of their last five regular-season games at home. After that, they could get home-field advantage for their two-game AFC playoff run (divisional round playoff game and AFC Championship).
That could mean six of their last seven games before the Super Bowl are played at Hard Rock Stadium, where they’re 10-2 under coach Mike McDaniel.
And it all starts with good health, or the best health possible.
That offers a more clear understanding of what’s at stake here and why good health plays such a big role.
The Dolphins need to get home-field advantage throughout the playoffs so they can avoid places such as Kansas City, Buffalo, Cincinnati or wherever else isn’t Hard Rock Stadium.
As it is, they’ve given themselves their best chance at being healthy for the most important part of the season.
If they have to go on the road, that’s what must be done.
The way things are setting up, if the Dolphins have to leave Hard Rock Stadium for a playoff game or two, their injury management plan is giving them the best chance to have a large number of their key players healthy — Tagovailoa, wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, Mostert, Achane, Armstead, right guard Robert Hunt, right tackle Austin Jackson, Howard, Ramsey and fellow cornerback Kader Kohou, safety Jevon Holland, edge rushers Chubb and Jaelan Phillips, and defensive tackle Christian Wilkins — for the most important games of the season.
