Dolphins’ offense has struggled a bit recently, and injury situation could complicate things more

MIAMI GARDENS — It’s probably no big deal, no cause for alarm, just a few incidents as opposed to a trend. But the Dolphins’ high-powered offense hasn’t been high-powered in its last two home games — a 20-13 victory over Las Vegas and a 28-27 loss to Tennessee.

Miami’s offense, which averages 31.6 points per game, second in the NFL, has only produced two touchdowns in each of its last two home games. That’s less than half of its 4.8 touchdowns per home game average.

The offensive dip is worth noting as Miami (9-4) approaches Sunday’s 1 p.m. home game against the New York Jets (5-8) because the Dolphins’ offense could be injury-challenged.

Wide receiver Tyreek Hill (left ankle), the No. 1 threat on the offense, is the main concern.

Coach Mike McDaniel said the Dolphins will be cautious with Hill.

“He’s a very experienced player,” McDaniel said. “I handle very experienced players different than I handle younger guys, because they know what they signed up for and it’s his career.

“So when we talk, this is what will happen….if he’s confident, and then I have the support of the medical guys, he’s confident that he can go be himself and I have the support of the trainers that it’s a responsible risk, he’ll play. If it’s not that, then he won’t.”

Looking at the bigger picture, Miami’s offense has been decent, not necessarily good, in the four games since the bye week, all against sub-.500 opponents. 

While Miami has averaged 31.5 points per game during the four-game stretch since the bye week, the offense produced a less-than-respectable two touchdowns in two of those games (Las Vegas and Tennessee) and a respectable three touchdowns in another (New York Jets).

The offense broke loose just once in this stretch against four consecutive sub-.500 opponents, the 45-point showing at Washington that featured five offensive touchdowns.

Remember, Miami has had a defensive touchdown in each of its last three games.

As an aside, kicker Jason Sanders has seven field goals in the four games since the bye. He had seven field goals in the nine games before the bye.

Hill, the Dolphins’ No. 1 playmaker, is the NFL’s leading receiver with 1,542 yards, didn’t practice Friday and is questionable for the game. He’s vying to become the NFL’s first 2,000-yard receiver. Miami’s offense was stuck in the mud last week when Hill was sidelined. But offensive coordinator Frank Smith said the Dolphins can move the ball with Hill off the field.

“We adjust throughout any game plan so…like ‘Cheetah’ (Hill) doesn’t play every play,” Smith said. “We make sure we have plans for all that.”

Dynamic rookie running back De’Von Achane (toe) also would have missed practice Wednesday and Thursday, further robbing the offense of big-play capabilities. Achane was limited Friday and is questionable for the game.

Aside from Hill and Achane, the offensive line, which will likely feature injury-limited versions of center Liam Eichenberg (calf) and left tackle Terron Armstead (knee/ankle), and endure the absence of right guard Rob Hunt (hamstring), is also a major concern.

Smith said they have contingencies plans for almost every situation on the offensive line.

“But ultimately, we look at the defense,” Smith said. “We attack the defense for what we think it is and use our guys as best we can to attack the parts of the defense.”

Going down further with the offensive line concern takes you to pass protection for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who was sacked five times last week.

And going past that, there’s the overall offensive health and performance for the brutal three-game finish of Dallas, Baltimore and Buffalo.

Miami’s offense has produced more than three touchdowns just twice in the last seven games with five against Washington and four against New England.

As for Miami’s offensive showings in its last two home games, the offense scored just two touchdowns against the Raiders – a 38-yard reception by Hill and an 11-yard reception by running back Salvon Ahmed.

The Dolphins’ offense also produced just two touchdowns against the Titans, one of which came on a 7-yard drive after a turnover on a muffed punt, and the other coming on a 12-yard drive after a turnover on a recovered fumble.

The problem isn’t on an individual, it’s a team thing.

In the four games since the bye week, Tagovailoa is 90 for 126 (71.4%) for 1,088 yards, five touchdowns, three interceptions and a 103.0 passer rating.

Running back Raheem Mostert has averaged 79.8 yards rushing per game.

Hill has averaged 116.5 yards per game receiving and scored four touchdowns.

The problem is collectively the offense hasn’t finished drives effectively.

Miami is No. 1 in red zone touchdowns for the season (71.1%), but No. 15 in red zone touchdowns in the last three weeks (63.6%) thanks mostly to going 2 for 5 last week.

On top of that, last week the Dolphins had drives of nine, 10 and nine plays come up scoreless against the Titans (fumble, blocked field goal, punt), plus they had three three-and-outs.

Still, the most important factor for the offense might be Hill’s availability and how it affects the offense. Fellow wide receiver Jaylen Waddle said even if Hill doesn’t play, the Dolphins have the capability to keep things moving in the right direction.

“We’ve got a lot of playmakers on the team that can do a lot,” he said. “Everybody’s just got to step up in a major way.”