The Miami Dolphins reportedly won’t have running back Raheem Mostert available for their playoff game on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.
Mostert has not practiced this week with a thumb injury.
Officially no Raheem Mostert for the Dolphins on Sunday.
— Will Manso (@WillManso) January 13, 2023
This is a big blow to Miami’s offense, especially since the team is turning to rookie seventh-round pick Skylar Thompson at quarterback this week because Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) is out, and veteran backup Teddy Bridgewater is dealing with an injury to his throwing hand.
Mostert, who rushed for 71 yards on 11 carries in the team’s Week 18 win over the New York Jets, has started 14 of the 16 games he’s appeared in this season.
With Mostert sidelined, the Dolphins will likely lean on Jeff Wilson Jr. to lead the way in the backfield.
Miami acquired Wilson from the San Francisco 49ers at the trade deadline in the 2022 season. The veteran running back has been solid for Miami, carrying the ball 84 times for 392 yards (4.7 yards per carry) and three touchdowns. He’s also caught 12 passes for 94 yards and another score with the Dolphins.
Still, replacing Mostert won’t be an easy task for the Dolphins, who will need to lean on the running game with Thompson under center.
During the regular season, Mostert carried the ball 181 times for 891 yards (4.9 yards per carry) and three touchdowns.
He’s also an extremely vital part of the Dolphins’ passing game, reeling in 31 of his 42 targets this season for 202 yards and two scores.
Thompson is going to have his work cut out for him against the Bills without Mostert, but the Dolphins have been operating with a “next-man-up mentality” this week.
The Dolphins and Bills faced off two times during the regular season with Buffalo winning the second matchup by three points. The Dolphins won the first matchup in Miami by two points, but that was with Tagovailoa in the lineup.
Now that the Dolphins have Thompson starting, they are major underdogs on the road in this game.
Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel will have to create a game plan to get the rest of his playmakers the ball in favorable spots if the Dolphins want to upset the Bills.
The Dolphins and Bills are scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m. EST on Sunday, Jan. 15.
