Dolphins center Connor Williams, safety DeShon Elliott out for game against Bills
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Miami Dolphins starting center Connor Williams and safety DeShon Elliott were both out for Sunday’s AFC East tilt with the Buffalo Bills.
The two were among the team’s inactive players announced 90 minutes before the kickoff at Highmark Stadium.
Williams injured his groin in last Sunday’s 70-20 win over the Denver Broncos. He was limited in Thursday and Friday practices during the past week after missing the team’s Wednesday session.
After Williams exited against the Broncos, Liam Eichenberg, a second-round pick for the Dolphins in 2021 who was the starting left guard in 2022, entered as the backup center.
“I felt that he rose to the challenge in a very necessary way,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said of Eichenberg’s play. “There’s stuff that he can improve on for sure, but I was happy with how the game wasn’t too big for him. He executed his assignments, made sure there were a lot of appropriately declared run and pass plays when he was in and that starts and ends with the center.”
Added offensive coordinator Frank Smith: “He’s doing a great job. I mean, the hardest thing is when you get thrust into new situations, how do you handle it? And the great thing about Liam is how he’s wired and how he approaches everything. So far, he’s really working through the process, and he’s been a true pro in everything he does.”
Dolphins left tackle Terron Armstead, who entered Sunday questionable was officially active after saying Friday he would play. Armstead is playing through ankle, knee and back injuries after debuting the previous Sunday.
Elliott has been dealing with ankle and groin injuries. He was limited throughout the week of practice. Starting the first three games, Elliott is second on the team with 22 tackles. He also has a fumble recovery and three pass deflections.
Without Elliott, Brandon Jones saw his first start of the season on defense after returning from a torn ACL in his knee last season. He got 16 defensive snaps against the Broncos last week. Miami also has Elijah Campbell available to handle safety reps.
“It was good to finally get him some action,” defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said this past week. “He’s had very limited practice. He had very, very limited reps in training camp. Didn’t play in any preseason games. We’ve been getting him more reps in practice and hopefully we’re seeing the progress that allows him to play.”
The Dolphins had already ruled outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips, who was also among inactives Sunday, out Friday. Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle was officially available after clearing concussion protocol this past week.
Miami running back Salvon Ahmed, who entered questionable with a groin injury, was active. Miami’s other inactives were cornerback Eli Apple, tight end Tyler Kroft and quarterback Skylar Thompson, who’s available as an emergency third quarterback.
For the Bills, safety Jordan Poyer was inactive after he was ruled out Friday with a knee injury.
Without Poyer, Buffalo had safety Damar Hamlin active for the first time in a regular-season game since his cardiac arrest on the field late last season.
Other Buffalo inactives were cornerback Kaiir Elam, guard Germain Ifedi, tackle Alec Anderson and defensive tackle Poona Ford.
This story will be updated.