The Miami Dolphins will get a look at their revamped offense as the team prepares to take on the Chicago Bears in their first preseason game of the season. The Dolphins were big-time buyers in the offseason as they added names like Ndamukong Suh and Greg Jennings to the roster. After giving Ryan Tannehill a contract extension, there are big expectations on the offense, but injuries could hurt that effort.
Heading into the first preseason game, the Dolphins will already be without their first-round draft pick, DeVante Freeman. According to the Miami Herald, the Dolphins are not certain when the wide receiver will return from having surgery on his foot, but the rookie is at least out for the entire preseason and potentially some of the regular season as well. The same can be said for rookie Jay Ajayi who is dealing with hamstring injuries that could leave him out of Thursday's game.
According to the Palm Beach Post, Ajayi is dealing with hamstring problems that are leaving him out of practice with an unknown return. The rookie was highly touted despite coming out of the fifth round of the NFL Draft. Ajayi is competing for the backup spot to Lamar Miller and is quickly losing pace. According to head coach Joe Philbin told the media that if Ajayi cannot improve on his blocking, he will not play. That is giving LaMichael James a leg up in the race to play behind Miller.
Another player struggling at the wrong time is tight end Jordan Cameron who was another big offseason signing for Miami after they let Charles Clay leave for the Buffalo Bills. Cameron has been inconsistent at best on the field so far in training camp, leaving the Dolphins a little frustrated. With Parker out with injury, Cameron is expected to be a crucial piece for Tannehill to work with. Tannehill downplayed his struggles on the field.
"We've tried it in practice to get him a few good looks," Tannehill said via the Sun-Sentinel, "but it hasn't worked out for whatever reason. It just seems like coach Coyle has got on us, but [Friday we were] able to get him a couple of balls in the end zone. "He made a great route on the seven [route], beat the linebacker. Then down here [near the goal line], just kept working for me on the back line and has strong hands, and was able to make the catch."
All eyes will be on Tannehill as he takes the field Thursday night. The quarterback has heavy expectations on his shoulders and with the suspension to Tom Brady and the injury to Geno Smith, the Dolphins stand a strong chance at making a run in the division if Tannehill can put everything together this season.
