A lot has been made regarding Knowshon Moreno's start with the Miami Dolphins. The running back is coming off a career-high year with the Denver Broncos as their lead rusher. He only managed to sign a one-year contract in free agency as the running back market struggled to gain steam. However, the Miami Dolphins were expecting him to come and help stabilize the offense. That was until he showed up overweight and injured. Now back on the field, things are looking back to normal.
Moreno finally made his Miami Dolphins debut in training camp. The running back reportedly showed up to OTAs out of shape and not ready to work. He then suffered a knee injury and was forced to sit, causing Lamar Miller to be ranked ahead of him on the depth chart. However, Moreno now has a week of training camp under his belt and head coach Joe Philbin says he looks back to his old self.
Philbin told the media that Moreno is starting to shake off the rust and looks better with each day he is on the field. According to the Miami Herald, Philbin would not confirm if Moreno would be on the field for the team's preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he would be ready for Week 3 of the preseason to get on the field for some action.
Moreno should be a welcomed sight for Dolphins' fans, but there are still questions as to whether or not he becomes the starting running back. Upon signing his $3 million contract, it was assumed Moreno would be the starter considering the year he was coming off of. However, Miller took advantage of the running back's early struggles and currently sits on top of the depth chart. Philbin originally said the starting job was Moreno's to lose, but Miller is the one stepping up in the season right now.
Fantasy owners should beware. Moreno might get the early down work, but he is not likely to be heavily involved in the passing game. Philbin said they were focused on rushing at the moment. Miller could get more of the all-around back work while last year's backup, Daniel Thomas, risks getting released.
ESPN.com notes that the running back battle is not the only one hitting the Dolphins. There is a lot of competition at the wide receiver spot since Mike Wallace returned to the field healthy. He will compete with Brandon Gibson and new rookie Jarvis Landry for playing time.
