The Miami Dolphins are preparing for the Green Bay Packers to come into South Beach with their high-flying offense that has improved over the past two weeks. The Dolphins are hoping to be able to match that intensity despite not having done so yet this season. Part of that effort rests on quarterback Ryan Tannehill while another part could rest on the potential return of running back Knowshon Moreno who has been upgraded to probable for Week 6.
Moreno has not been seen on the field since Week 2 when he dislocated his elbow in the loss to the Buffalo Bills. The Dolphins were expecting the running back to miss a significant amount of time, but after progressing quicker than expected, Moreno could return against the Packers. According to the Miami Herald, Moreno has returned to the practice field and all signs point to him starting on Sunday. Moreno was seen wearing a large brace on his elbow and head coach Joe Philbin believes that as long as he is comfortable with the protection and can still do all of his duties then the running back will be playing.
"I think it's just a matter of him getting used to playing with it in practice. He's got to get a feel of it and carrying the ball with it, pass protection," Philbin said, via the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. "Obviously we just can't have him in there when we are running the ball or free release him all the time. Those are things we take the practice week to figure out."
The question now becomes how will Moreno and Lamar Miller split time on the field against the Packers. Miller has been starting in place of Moreno since the injury and has really found his stride with the offense. Offensive coordinator Bill Lazor was hoping to have an equal rushing attack with the two backs, but threw that plan away when Moreno got injured.
Moreno returning to the field could help the Dolphins in a big way, simply because he helps take the pressure off Ryan Tannehill who has been hot and cold for most of this season. Sitting at 2-2, the Dolphins' could go either direction. The wide receivers have yet to really have a breakout game. Brandon Gibson and Jarvis Landry have not played to their abilities just yet. Moreno could help push momentum back into Miami. With the New England Patriots struggles, the Dolphins have a real shot at making a run in the AFC East if they can get back to a balanced offense.
