Dolphins elevate 2 key players ahead of Sunday’s game vs. Raiders

The Miami Dolphins elevated two players ahead of Sunday’s Week 11 matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Dolphins are bringing up offensive lineman Jackson Carman and long snapper Tucker Addington, as the team is dealing with a bunch of injuries on the offensive line.

Tackle Austin Jackson is out for the season with a knee injury, and he is expected to be replaced by veteran Kendall Lamm in the lineup.

In addition to Jackson’s injury, the Dolphins could end up being down two more offensive lineman on Sunday. Tackle Terron Armstead did not practice this week due to a knee injury, and the Dolphins have listed him as questionable against the Raiders.

Meanwhile, guard Rob Jones is questionable as well for Sunday. According to the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson, Mike McDaniel is optimistic that Jones will play.

As for Armstead, Jackson projects that rookie Patrick Paul will likely earn the start if the veteran tackle is unable to go.

Carman is likely insurance for the Dolphins in Week 11, especially if Armstead doesn’t end up playing. A second-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Carman spent the first three seasons of his NFL career with the Cincinnati Bengals. He made 22 appearances, starting six games from the 2021 season through the 2023 season in Cincy.

He played in 17 games (making six starts) as a rookie, but he only appeared in five games in the next two seasons. So far in the 2024 campaign, Carman has appeared in one game for the Dolphins, playing five snaps on special teams.

Addington will serve as the Dolphins’ long snapper in Week 11 after they opted not to activate Blake Ferguson.

“The Dolphins also opted not to yet activate rookie safety Patrick McMorris (who’s on injured reserve but has already been designated to return) and long snapper Blake Ferguson, who’s eligible to return from IR after being sidelined four games for personal reasons,” Jackson wrote.

Ferguson has appeared in 72 games for the Dolphins over the last five seasons, including five in the 2024 campaign.

After beating the Los Angeles Rams in Week 10, the Dolphins are looking to string some wins together to get back in the playoff mix in the AFC. Las Vegas is just 2-7 on the season and should be a beatable opponent for Miami on Sunday.