Setback During Rest Week Hits Playoffs for the Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins entered their NFL bye week with high hopes, aiming to use the break to heal nagging injuries, refine playoff strategies, and build momentum for the final stretch of the season. But what was supposed to be a period of rest and preparation took a turn for the worse, as the team announced a significant setback: starting cornerback Xavien Howard suffered a knee injury during a light practice session, casting doubt on his availability for the upcoming playoff push. This news sent ripples through the Dolphins’ fanbase and the NFL community, as Howard is not just a key player on defense—he’s a shutdown corner who has been instrumental in limiting opposing teams’ top wide receivers all season. For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, a potential long-term absence for Howard is more than just a roster blow; it’s a challenge that could reshape their entire playoff approach. Setback During Rest Week Hits Playoffs for the Miami Dolphins explores the details of this injury, its impact on the team, and how the Dolphins plan to adapt in the face of adversity.

The injury to Xavien Howard occurred during a non-contact drill on the second day of the bye week, a scenario that makes the setback even more frustrating for the Dolphins. According to the team’s initial injury report, Howard twisted his knee while backpedaling during a coverage drill, and subsequent MRI results revealed a mild sprain of the medial collateral ligament (MCL). While the team has not given an official timeline for his return, sources close to the organization have indicated that Howard is expected to miss 2–3 weeks, putting his availability for the first round of the playoffs in jeopardy. This is a critical loss for the Dolphins’ defense, which ranks 6th in the NFL in pass defense and relies heavily on Howard’s ability to neutralize opposing No. 1 wide receivers. This season, Howard has recorded 3 interceptions, 12 pass deflections, and has held the receivers he’s covered to a 52tch rate—well below the league average. “Xavien is the kind of player you can’t replace with just one person,” said Dolphins defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. “He changes how we call defenses, and his absence will force us to adjust in ways we didn’t plan for.” Setback During Rest Week Hits Playoffs for the Miami Dolphins emphasizes that this injury isn’t just about losing a star player; it’s about losing a defensive anchor who makes the entire unit better.

The Howard injury isn’t the only setback the Dolphins faced during the bye week—reserve running back Devon Achane also suffered a hamstring strain during a conditioning workout, adding to the team’s depth concerns. Achane, who has been a key change-of-pace back behind starter Raheem Mostert, has rushed for 460 yards and 5 touchdowns this season, and his speed has been a valuable weapon in the Dolphins’ run-heavy offense. While his injury is considered less severe than Howard’s (he’s expected to miss 1–2 weeks), his absence leaves the Dolphins with just two healthy running backs: Mostert and practice squad elevation Myles Gaskin. This lack of depth could become a problem if Mostert, who has dealt with minor injuries throughout the season, faces any setbacks. The Dolphins’ offense has thrived on its ability to rotate running backs and keep defenses off balance, but with Achane sidelined, that strategy will be harder to execute. “Devon brings a different element to our offense—his speed forces defenses to spread out, which opens up holes for Raheem,” said offensive coordinator Frank Smith. “Losing him means we’ll have to get creative with our playcalling to maintain that balance.” Setback During Rest Week Hits Playoffs for the Miami Dolphins highlights that while Achane’s injury may not grab the same headlines as Howard’s, it’s still a significant blow to an offense that relies on depth to stay dominant.

The Miami Dolphins’ coaching staff has been quick to address these setbacks, using the remainder of the bye week to adjust their game plans and evaluate potential replacements. For Howard’s spot, the team is expected to turn to second-year cornerback Kaiir Elam, who has shown promise in limited action this season. Elam, a first-round pick in 2022, has played in 12 games this year, recording 1 interception and 6 pass deflections, but he has yet to start a game. To help Elam prepare, the Dolphins brought in former NFL cornerback Brent Grimes—a two-time Pro Bowler and Dolphins alum—to serve as a guest coach during the bye week, providing Elam with one-on-one mentorship. “Kaiir has all the physical tools to be a great cornerback,” said head coach Mike McDaniel. “This is an opportunity for him to step up, and we’re doing everything we can to support him.” For Achane’s replacement, the Miami Dolphins signed veteran running back Leonard Fournette to the practice squad, a move that adds both experience and depth. Fournette, who won a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020, has rushed for over 5,000 yards in his career and is familiar with the Dolphins’ offensive system from his time in the AFC East. Setback During Rest Week Hits Playoffs for the Miami Dolphins shows that while the Dolphins are facing challenges, they’re not sitting idle—they’re taking proactive steps to mitigate the damage.

The Miami Dolphins’ players have also rallied in the face of these setbacks, with veterans stepping up to provide leadership and encouragement. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who has dealt with his own injury struggles in the past, held a team meeting during the bye week to remind his teammates that adversity is part of the playoff journey. “Every great team faces challenges on the way to the Super Bowl,” Tagovailoa said. “This is our challenge, and how we respond will define us.” Wide receiver Tyreek Hill, one of the NFL’s most vocal leaders, has also been vocal about supporting Elam, offering to stay after practice to run extra routes and help Elam prepare for the speed of opposing wide receivers. “I remember what it was like to be a young player thrown into a big role,” Hill said. “I’m going to do everything I can to help Kaiir succeed—because when he succeeds, this team succeeds.” The Miami Dolphins’ team culture, which McDaniel has worked hard to build since taking over in 2022, has been on full display during this difficult period, with players focusing on teamwork rather than individual setbacks. Setback During Rest Week Hits Playoffs for the Miami Dolphins underscores that while injuries are never ideal, they can also bring a team closer together—and that unity could be a secret weapon for the Dolphins in the playoffs.

Finally, the setbacks during the bye week have forced the Miami Dolphins to confront a reality that many playoff teams face: no roster is perfect, and adaptability is just as important as talent. While losing Howard and Achane is a blow, it also gives the Dolphins a chance to test their depth and refine their strategies before the playoffs begin. For example, Elam’s promotion to a starting role could give the Dolphins a younger, more athletic option at cornerback—one who might surprise opposing offenses that have spent all season preparing for Howard. Similarly, Fournette’s addition could bring a physicality to the running game that the Dolphins have been missing, complementing Mostert’s speed. “Adversity doesn’t build character—it reveals it,” McDaniel said in a press conference after the bye week. “This team has a lot of character, and I’m confident we’ll come out of this stronger.” The Miami Dolphins still have a strong core—Tagovailoa, Hill, Mostert, and a dominant offensive line—and their playoff chances remain intact. While the setbacks during the bye week have made their path to the Super Bowl a little harder, they’ve also given the team a chance to grow and prepare for the challenges that lie ahead. Setback During Rest Week Hits Playoffs for the Miami Dolphins concludes that in the NFL, the teams that win championships aren’t the ones that avoid adversity—they’re the ones that learn to overcome it. And if the Dolphins can do that, they’ll still be a force to be reckoned with in the playoffs.