The Miami Dolphins made a significant roster move on Saturday by activating cornerback Jalen Ramsey from the injured reserve, setting the stage for his long-awaited season debut on Sunday against the New England Patriots. In a corresponding move, the Dolphins released cornerback Parry Nickerson.
Ramsey’s journey back to the field has been a challenging one. He suffered a left meniscus injury during the second day of training camp in July and promptly underwent surgery the following day. This injury kept him sidelined for the initial seven weeks of the season.
The window for his activation, which spans 21 days, was initiated on October 18. Sources, including ESPN’s Adam Schefter, had already hinted at Miami’s anticipation of Ramsey’s return, with Ramsey himself acknowledging that there was a “chance” he would play. He emphasized his commitment to feeling “GREAT” before taking the field, stating that he wouldn’t play if he felt anything less.
When queried about Ramsey’s potential start and the status of fellow cornerback Xavien Howard, who was grappling with a groin injury, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel remained noncommittal on Friday. Both Ramsey and Howard are officially listed as questionable for Sunday’s game. McDaniel emphasized the team’s caution in handling its star cornerback duo, highlighting their valuable contributions and preparation. He underscored their understanding of what it means to be in the right physical condition and the potential repercussions if they push themselves too hard.
McDaniel expressed his readiness for any scenario and humorously admitted to having no inside information on whether they would play, adding an element of unpredictability to the situation.
In addition to these updates, the Dolphins also had to make the unfortunate decision to rule out safety Jevon Holland, who is still in concussion protocol, and wide receiver River Cracraft, whose activation window commenced on Wednesday.
With a 5-2 record, Miami currently leads the AFC East by a half-game margin over the Buffalo Bills, who secured a victory on Thursday night. A win against the Patriots would mark a season sweep of their division rivals, a significant achievement for the Dolphins.
