Dolphins’ Brandon Jones, Adam Butler active at Titans; Austin Jackson replaced on O-line for a series
Miami Dolphins safety Brandon Jones and defensive lineman Adam Butler were both active for the team’s critical game at the Tennessee Titans on Sunday afternoon.
Jones and Butler were in league COVID-19 protocols throughout the past week. They were removed from the team’s reserve/COVID-19 list on Saturday afternoon at the deadline to make roster moves ahead of Sunday’s game.
Jones and Butler traveled separately from the rest of the team on Saturday, and despite their removal from the COVID list, they entered Sunday questionable, officially, due to illness. They were announced as cleared to play three and a half hours before the 1 p.m. kickoff at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. Jones started while Butler was seen in the lineup by third down on the opening defensive series.
Jones entered the game with 66 tackles, five sacks, an interception, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and a pass breakup in 13 games, 11 starts at strong safety. Butler came in with 16 tackles, two sacks and three pass deflections as a rotational defensive lineman for Miami.
Two weeks ago, Miami similarly activated rookie free safety Jevon Holland off COVID reserve the day before the Dec. 19 game against the Jets, but he was not cleared ahead of the Sunday kickoff.
Neither Jones nor Butler practiced this past week in preparation for the Titans after landing on the COVID list on Tuesday. They both played in Monday night’s win at the New Orleans Saints with Jones recording six tackles, a sack and a late interception.
Remaining active-roster Dolphins on the COVID list as of Sunday are cornerback Noah Igbinoghene, safety Sheldrick Redwine, defensive tackle John Jenkins and wide receivers Preston Williams, Allen Hurns and Lynn Bowden. Igbinoghene and Redwine were added on Saturday, Hurns and Bowden are on season-ending injured reserve and weren’t available to play anyway.
Miami had no other players enter Sunday’s game that carries significant AFC playoff implications with an injury designation. The Dolphins announced six healthy inactives: Running back Salvon Ahmed, tight end Hunter Long, linebackers Vince Biegel and Darius Hodge, cornerback Trill Williams and center Cameron Tom.
The Titans had outside linebacker Derick Roberson (illness) and defensive lineman Larrell Murchison (knee) deemed out ahead of kickoff after entering Sunday questionable. They also had defensive backs Chris Jones and Greg Mabin as healthy inactives.
Tennessee did not activate veteran wide receiver Julio Jones off their COVID list on Saturday, so he was out, along with linebacker Jayon Brown and tackle Kendall Lamm.
Jackson sits for a series
On the Dolphins’ third offensive series, Solomon Kindley was seen playing left guard instead of Austin Jackson.
No injury was announced for Jackson, so it was apparently a move based on performance, but Jackson was back in for the Dolphins’ following possession.
Jackson’s illegal man downfield penalty negated a first-down catch by running back Myles Gaskin on Miami’s second offensive play Sunday.
Jackson, a first-round pick in the 2020 draft, had played left tackle as a rookie last season and to start the 2021 season. He was moved inside to guard for the Oct. 10 game at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Kindley saw his first offensive snaps Week 2, Sept. 19 against the Buffalo Bills.
This story will be updated.