Dolphins elevate pass rusher Melvin Ingram for Ravens game; good news for questionable linemen, DBs

The Miami Dolphins elevated veteran edge rusher Melvin Ingram for the second consecutive week Saturday ahead of Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Ingram gets the call up from the practice squad to the game-day roster for Sunday’s 1 p.m. kickoff at M&T Bank Stadium. It’s the second of three available elevations Miami can use on Ingram, with one regular-season game remaining following the showdown for the AFC’s No. 1 seed.

The 34-year-old three-time Pro Bowler had a pair of tackles in 21 defensive snaps in last Sunday’s win over the Dallas Cowboys, Ingram’s first action of the 2023 season after spending 2022 with the Dolphins and signing with the team’s practice squad Dec. 13.

“Not bad considering the circumstances,” defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said Thursday. “He’s only been here a little bit, hadn’t played any ball since last season. I think Melvin is an instinctive player. Football comes natural to him. But he hadn’t played. I think the more he gets in the football shape, the better he can play.”

Ingram figures to rotate in as an outside linebacker behind starters Bradley Chubb and Andrew Van Ginkel for a unit that will be without Jaelan Phillips for the rest of the season due to his torn Achilles. Second-year player Cameron Goode can also play the position. The group will be tasked with containing Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson, a threat to run and pass.

Ingram’s elevation was the lone move announced by Miami on Saturday before the team traveled up to Baltimore.

That could signal good news for the team’s three defensive backs and three offensive linemen who enter Sunday questionable.

Cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey (knee) and Xavien Howard (hip/thumb) and safety Jevon Holland (knees) are all questionable to play against the Ravens. Holland has missed the past four games with MCL sprains in both knees, and cornerback Ethan Bonner has been called up from the practice squad each of the past two weeks that Holland missed due to special teams residuals of having Brandon Jones and/or Elijah Campbell have to start defensively at safety.

Ramsey showed up on Friday’s injury report with the knee ailment that limited him in practice after it wasn’t previously an issue. It’s unknown if it’s the same knee that underwent surgery for a meniscus tear in the preseason. Howard returned last week from a one-game absence due to the hip injury but had the thumb added to the injury report this past week.

On the offensive line, already with right guard Robert Hunt doubtful, the Dolphins have right tackle Austin Jackson (oblique) and interior linemen Liam Eichenberg (calf/ankle) and Lester Cotton (hip) questionable.

If Hunt is ruled out, the other three appear on track to be active Sunday so the team has its eight available offensive linemen on game day.

Miami also has running back Raheem Mostert listed as questionable with knee and ankle injuries, but running backs coach Eric Studesville indicated this past week he expects Mostert to play.

Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle was ruled out Friday with a high ankle sprain, but the team has six wide receivers on the active roster available to play.