Jeff Hafley did not announce a decision on Zane Gonzalez’s future Monday, leaving the Miami Dolphins with a kicker question to resolve after their 19-9 loss to the Detroit Lions.
Asked about Gonzalez’s status, Hafley said he and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan would discuss the position. The coach acknowledged Gonzalez’s successful kicks but singled out the miss before halftime.
“He made one after he missed yesterday and then he missed the kick right before half that we need Zane to make,” Hafley said. “So we’ll continue to have conversations just like Sully and I do every week and you guys have seen, we’re constantly looking to improve. But like I said, with Zane, he missed the one going into the second half that we have to make and then he came back and he made one. So we’ll have those conversations and talk.”
The timing matters because Gonzalez has already used his three standard practice-squad elevations. As covered in Miami’s roster moves before the Lions game, keeping him available now requires a spot on the 53-man roster under the league’s elevation rules.
That makes this week’s evaluation more consequential than another temporary call-up. Miami must decide whether Gonzalez’s performance warrants an active-roster commitment or whether to turn to another kicker.
Zane Gonzalez’s miss cost Miami a chance to tie Detroit
Gonzalez finished Sunday with three field goals on four attempts, accounting for all nine Miami points. He had makes from 34, 52 and 34 yards, with a missed 38-yard attempt at the end of the second quarter.
That miss left Miami trailing 6-3 at halftime instead of tied. Gonzalez subsequently converted both of his second-half attempts, including the 52-yarder that reduced Detroit’s lead to 9-6.
Hafley separates kicking mistakes from special teams progress
Hafley also pushed back on treating every part of Miami’s special teams as the same problem. He said the coverage and protection units had improved while identifying the kicking operation as an area that fell short against Detroit.
His assessment leaves room for personnel changes without suggesting the entire unit needs to be rebuilt. It also stops short of promising Gonzalez another game; Hafley’s answer was that he and Sullivan would continue their evaluation.
Gonzalez returned to the practice squad Oct. 20, the same day the Dolphins released Riley Patterson. Gonzalez was then elevated Oct. 24, Oct. 31 and Nov. 7.
The next game is Sunday at Indianapolis. If Miami sticks with Gonzalez for that matchup, the next step must include a roster move, not a fourth standard elevation.
