Miami’s Tough Season Continues with Star Players Banged Up and a Pivotal AFC East Battle Looming Against Buffalo
The Miami Dolphins’ season went from bad to worse in Week 8, with a gut-wrenching 28-27 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on a last-second field goal. While the return of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was supposed to bring renewed hope, it ended in disappointment as Miami fell to 2-5. Tua, back after a concussion, had a solid game, throwing for 234 yards and a touchdown, but his three fumbles and the loss cast a shadow over his comeback. The Dolphins struggled to maintain momentum in his absence, posting a rough 1-3 record without him.
The injuries to Miami’s stars only add to the frustration. All-Pro receiver Tyreek Hill, dealing with a foot injury, managed six catches for 72 yards but was kept out of the end zone. Hill missed practice Wednesday and returned in a limited capacity on Thursday, raising concerns about the lingering impact of his foot issue. He wasn’t alone—offensive tackle Terron Armstead and linebacker Emmanuel Ogbah also saw limited practice this week, as the Dolphins fight to keep key players on the field.
Injuries have been the storyline of Miami’s season. Alongside Tagovailoa’s concussion issues, top receivers Hill and Jaylen Waddle have been banged up, though they haven’t missed time. The Dolphins also lost veteran wideout Braxton Berrios to an ACL tear and, during Tua’s absence, backup QB Tyler Huntley went down with a shoulder injury. Defensively, the team suffered a massive blow when standout linebacker Jaelan Phillips underwent season-ending knee surgery, his second major injury in as many years.
Despite the team’s struggles, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel was blunt about their reality. “The results say we’re a 2-5 team. So that’s what we are,” McDaniel stated, signaling a need for accountability as the Dolphins look to salvage their season.
In a division where every team aside from the Buffalo Bills has only two wins, the Dolphins still have a glimmer of hope. However, their Week 9 matchup against the 6-2 Bills will be a true test. It’s a rematch that Miami’s players and fans haven’t forgotten—Tagovailoa suffered his concussion in their Week 2 clash. As the Dolphins gear up to face Buffalo again, they hope to regain strength and keep their playoff hopes alive. A win over the division leader could be the spark they need to turn a challenging season around before it’s too late.
