The Miami Dolphins elevated running back Darrynton Evans and cornerback Ethan Bonner from the practice squad for Sunday’s game against the New York Jets while passing on activating running back Chris Brooks.
With several injury question marks for the Dolphins, the moves offer possible indications on the status of some players with their status up in the air for the 1 p.m. kickoff against the Jets at Hard Rock Stadium.
While Brooks was downgraded from questionable to out due to his recovering knee injury, the Evans decision comes as fellow running back De’Von Achane is questionable with a toe injury. It may not bode well for Achane’s availability, given the team wants to have a third tailback available with Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. healthy.
The fact that no offensive lineman was brought up from the practice squad seems to be a good sign for left tackle Terron Armstead (ankle/knee), offensive lineman Liam Eichenberg (calf) and right tackle Austin Jackson (oblique), all who go into Sunday questionable.
Miami already has right guard Robert Hunt out with his hamstring injury, and starting center Connor Williams was lost for the season in the past week with a torn ACL in his left knee. Eichenberg is his backup there who is in line to start if he can play. The Dolphins also signed centers Jonotthan Harrison to the active roster and Matt Skura to the practice squad this week. Skura was not elevated for the game.
Bonner offers another body in the secondary and a special teamer as Brandon Jones will already have to start for the injured DeShon Elliott, who is out due to concussion protocol, and Elijah Campbell may have to play for Jevon Holland, who is recovering from injuries to both knees. Cornerback Xavien Howard is questionable with a hip injury.
Wide receiver Tyreek Hill’s status remains a question going into game day. He is expected to test out the ankle pregame and make a decision. The Dolphins have seven wide receivers on the active roster, which would mean six available if Hill can’t play.
Outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel is also questionable with an oblique injury.
With Brooks, who had a 21-day practice window to be activated off IR opened Nov. 29, the Dolphins have until Tuesday to decide whether they bring him back onto the roster or lose him for the season. He was the seventh player the Dolphins designated to return from IR this season, leaving one spot for Miami to bring back someone on injured reserve, which could go to linebacker Jerome Baker upon recovery from his knee injury that will keep him out through at least the Dec. 31 game at the Baltimore Ravens.