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The Miami Dolphins have one of the deepest, most talented rosters in the entire NFL.
But sadly, for Dolphins fans at least, they won’t get to see that roster at its best went Miami takes on the Kansas City Chiefs (on Peacock!) in the AFC Wild Card round.
Miami enters its showdown with Kansas City with an injury list that has to be seen to be believed.
The Dolphins have struggled with injuries all season. But things hit critical mass when all-pro pass rusher Bradley Chubb tore his ACL against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 17.
Things only got worse from there when Pro Bowl corner Xavien Howard left the very same game with a foot injury. Howard, like Chubb, will not play against the Chiefs.
But wait, there’s more!
Miami suffered multiple injury blows in their Week 18 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Starting linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel injured his foot and won’t be able to return during the playoffs. While fellow starting linebacker Jerome Baker injured his wrist against the Bills. Baker had to have surgery and, like Van Ginkel, is not expected to return this season.
But at least there’s backups, right? RIGHT?
Well, no.
Backup linebacker Cameron Goode tore his patella tendon and won’t return this season.
Now, it’s not all bad news. Pro Bowl running back Raheem Mostert, who led the NFL in rushing touchdowns, is expected to return after multiple weeks out. While star wide receiver Jaylen Waddle is also expected to play against the Chiefs.
The full injury report doesn’t paint a very pretty picture for the Dolphins.
Stars such as Tyreek Hill, Terron Armstead and Jevon Holland were all at least limited in practice early in the week. That’s never a good sign when you’re traveling to take on the reigning Super Bowl champs.