Dolphins’ Terron Armstead makes 2023 debut, Jaelan Phillips returns against Broncos
MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins left tackle Terron Armstead made his 2023 debut and outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips returned to action in Sunday’s home opener against the Denver Broncos.
Neither Armstead nor Phillips were listed among the team’s inactives announced 90 minutes before kickoff after both entered questionable — Armstead with ankle, knee and back injuries and Phillips with a back ailment.
The Dolphins, however, were without standout wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, who was ruled out Saturday and is still in the concussion protocol.
Miami coach Mike McDaniel expressed optimism Friday over Armstead and Phillips playing.
Armstead, the four-time Pro Bowler, missed the Dolphins’ first two games at the Los Angeles Chargers and New England Patriots mainly because of the ankle injury. He suffered it in an Aug. 17 joint practice with the Houston Texans. Kendall Lamm was a serviceable replacement at left tackle in Armstead’s absence.
Phillips was held out of the Patriots game with the back injury first popping up two days earlier.
Waddle missed a game for the second time in his NFL career. In his rookie season in 2021, he was held out for a home win against the New York Jets while on the COVID-19 list.
Running back Salvon Ahmed, who entered Sunday doubtful with a groin injury, was indeed ruled out Sunday morning.
The Dolphins’ other inactives were cornerback Cam Smith, wide receiver Erik Ezukanma, tight end Tyler Kroft, tackle Kion Smith and quarterback Skylar Thompson, who is available as an emergency third quarterback.
Also entering questionable but available Sunday for Miami: Defensive tackle Raekwon Davis (wrist), defensive back Elijah Campbell (knee) and tight end Julian Hill (ankle). Kroft was questionable with a back injury before being ruled out.
Cam Smith, the rookie second-round pick, and Ezukanma, the 2022 fourth-round selection, were healthy scratches. Smith has not played defensively in his first two NFL games but has contributed on special teams.
The Dolphins chose to have wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr., who had been inactive the first two games, active over Ezukanma, along with Robbie Chosen, who was elevated from the practice squad Saturday. Ezukanma has five carries for 22 yards this season, being used as a versatile ball-carrying receiver in McDaniel’s offense.
The Broncos had already ruled out safety Justin Simmons and outside linebacker Frank Clark ahead of Sunday’s game, both with hip injuries.
They also had safety JL Skinner, defensive end Ronnie Perkins, center Alex Forsyth and defensive lineman Elijah Garcia inactive.
Apple demoted
The Dolphins didn’t have cornerback Eli Apple on the field for the opening defensive series.
Miami started in a base 3-4 defense. On the second play, the Dolphins went to a nickel package, and it was Justin Bethel as the fifth defensive back. On the third defensive snap, the Dolphins showed their dime package, and Parry Nickerson entered as a sixth defensive back.
Apple was previously the boundary cornerback when starter Kader Kohou slides inside into the slot in the nickel. Kohou remained on the boundary when Bethel and Nickerson entered.
This story will be updated.