REPORT: The Miami Dolphins Received Encouraging News about their Starting Linebackers’ Injury ahead of Week 18
The 11-5 Miami Dolphins need a win against the 10-6 Buffalo Bills on Sunday night in order to win the AFC East and clinch the 2nd seed in the AFC Playoff Picture. Their defense has been banged up as of late. Their top two pass rushers are out for the season, and their starting cornerback is week-to-week with a foot injury.
The good news for Miami is that they received an encouraging update regarding their injured starting linebacker.
The Miami Dolphins could open the practice window of their starting linebacker.
Head coach Mike McDaniel was optimistic that Jerome Baker will get his 21-day practice window opened this week:
“Jerome has been doing well. We’ll see how the work goes with the training staff up until the practice week, but I’m optimistic that his window will begin here soon.”
If they open Baker’s practice window, he will have 21 days to practice before being elevated to the active roster. If he doesn’t practice or the team decides not to active him in the 21 days, he will miss the rest of the season (depending on whether they can make a deep playoff run).
The starting linebacker hasn’t played since Week 13.
Jerome Baker suffered an MCL sprain in their Week 13 matchup against the Washington Commanders and was placed on injured reserve.
Baker was too optimistic about his injury and tweeted after the game that he will be back sooner than expected:
“Don’t worry about me. I’ll be back sooner than you think.”
Baker had 69 tackles, two for a loss, four quarterback hits, 1.5 sacks, two interceptions, one pick-six, and three pass deflections through 12 g
