MIAMI GARDENS — Cornerbacks Xavien Howard (groin) and Kader Kohou (neck), who were both limited in Thursday’s practice, seem as though they’ll be listed as questionable for Sunday’s game at Philadelphia based on what coach Mike McDaniel said Friday.
The outlook seems similar, and possibly a little more concerning, regarding center Connor Williams (groin), who has already missed two games this year.
In other news, rookie running back Chris Brooks, who ignited the offense with his running and blocking, was placed on injured reserve Friday due to the knee and ankle injuries he sustained in last week’s 42-21 victory over Carolina.
Meanwhile, cornerback Nik Needham continues progressing as he makes his way back from last year’s season-ending Achilles injury.
And cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who began practicing Wednesday as he recovers from the left knee injury he sustained during training camp, wore a camouflage jersey at Friday’s practice, symbolic of being one of three non-53-man roster Players of the Week.
As for Howard and Kohou, both participated in the portion of Friday’s practice the media is allowed to watch.
“I know those football players are going to play football very soon, if it’s Sunday they’ll be ready to roll,” McDaniel said. “If it’s not, they’ll be ready to roll the following week.”
McDaniel said Howard and Kohou, as well as Needham, who has been practicing while on the Physically Unable to Perform list (PUP), are all moving forward.
“What I can tell you is that there weren’t any setbacks from (Thursday) at all,” he said. “They’re all progressing at various speeds. Needham, it’s a roster situation that we kind of have to be calculated with, but there weren’t any setbacks. We’ll see how today goes and how they’re feeling.”
Williams missed the Carolina game. McDaniel said they’d be cautious with Williams and that they’re trying to protect him from himself.
“He’s at a good spot mentally and that’s the most important thing to me because it’s a big-picture, whole-season kind of outlook, (and) I want to make sure we’re doing right by him and he’s doing right by himself,” McDaniel said.
Needham had his 21-day window to return opened Oct. 4 so the Dolphins must decide by Wednesday whether to activate him or leave him out for the season.
The plan for Jaelan Phillips
Edge rusher Jaelan Phillips, who has missed three games, has been battling an oblique injury. He played 30 snaps (43%) last week against Carolina, and it sounds as though he’ll be on a similar plan this week.
“Hopefully he’ll be better this week,” defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said. “We’re still not going to play him full time, not like he was in the first game. But he definitely is progressing and definitely happy to have him back.”
Andrew Van Ginkel has started in Phillips’ place and done well. His 4.0 sacks are tied for the team lead with defensive lineman Zach Sieler, and his 25 tackles are tied for eighth on the team.
The edge rush duo of Phillips and Bradley Chubb have a combined 2.5 sacks with Chubb having 2.0 sacks.
Fangio was with the Eagles, but…
Fangio spent a year away from the game last year, and one thing he did was work as a consultant for Philadelphia during its Super Bowl preparations. Fangio scouted the Eagles’ offense and told the Eagles what to expect from the Kansas City defense.
Fangio said he doesn’t expect that experience to give him an edge Sunday.
“I was giving them more information than they were giving me,” he said. “That’s kind of the way it turned out. If there is any advantage to be had by me being there last year, it is in their favor.”
On Thursday, running back Raheem Mostert said Fangio hasn’t dropped into an offensive meeting. Yet.
“No, he hasn’t,” Mostert said, “but I’m sure he’ll give us some nuggets here and there that are just going to help us improve our scheme and our abilities to go out there and execute at a high level.”
Philly’s a tough environment
Philadelphia fans are notorious for being rough on opponents. Mostert has an appreciation for the fans in the City of Brotherly Love because they, ahem, go the extra yard.
“Craziest thing that I’ve seen is just throwing things at players, of course,” he said. “That’s like routine, but they dig a little bit deeper, too.
“They try to get into your personal life as well. Fortunately, I’m not the victim of that, but it’s just fans being fans. They have a lot of pride over there, and like I said, I know them very well.”
Linebacker Jerome Baker likes the attitude of the Philly fans.
“They don’t care,” he said. “They don’t care what you do, what you say. They don’t like you because you’re not an Eagle. That’s how it should be. They ride and die by their Eagles. It’s going to be a good one Sunday.”
This story will be updated.