*** DOLPHINS NEWS ***
Sep 23, 1997: -- Keith Sims to miss 6-8 Weeks --
** Sims Out 6-8 Weeks **
As a result of suffering tendon damage to his left elbow,
starting left guard Keith Sims was forced to have surgery on Monday
and will miss 6 to 8 weeks of playing time. This could put Sims on
the sideline until the Dolphins meet New England on November 23rd.
Sims suffered the major portion of the injury during the
Sunday night game against the Buccaneers. However, he was also
bothered by chronic tendonitis in that elbow.
During Sims absence, second year man Jeff Buckey will start at
left guard. Buckey is a decent pass blocker, but lacks aggressive run
blocking skills.
** Dotson Has Surgery **
Dewayne Dotson, as expected, has surgery on his knee on Monday
to remove loose bodies from a knee that was damaged in practice last
week. Dotson will make a pretty quick recovery, but probably will not
play against the Kansas City Chiefs a week from Sunday. He is
currently listed as doubtful for that game.
In Dotson's place, rookie tight end Ed Perry will get a lot of
practice as a fullback, along with Bernie Parmalee. The Dolphins had
considered bringing back Robert Wilson or moving Ray Nealy up from the
practice squad, but have decided to go with what they have for now.
The Dolphins are also experimenting with some one-back sets.
** Other Injuries **
A number of other players have injuries and while they will
play, they will miss some practice time this week. Offensive lineman
Brent Smith has a sprained ankle, Jerris McPhail is nursing both
hamstring and wrist problems, and punter John Kidd is still trying to
recover from a hamstring problem.
As of right now, Stanly Pritchett is on target to make his
return in 6-8 weeks, along with Keith Sims.
** Fred Barnett to Sit Out Practice **
JJ has decided that wide receiver Fred Barnett will get a week
of rest this week to see if that will help his poor play. Barnett
seems to have lost a step this summer after his surgery during
training camp and the coaches are giving Fred the week off to see if
he can regain some of the quickness he had this spring when he ran a
personal best time in the 40.
Giving Fred Barnett a rest will put Brian Manning into a
starting position during practice this week and will give him a lot of
repetitions to get used to catching Dan Marino's passes.
** Holmes Applies for Reinstatement **
Cornerback Clayton Holmes has applied for reinstatement to the
league this week, now that the mandatory part of his suspension is up.
Holmes was originally suspended for at least the first 4 games of the
season, but under the rules, is now eligible to apply for
reinstatement.
However, just being eligible does not guarantee reinstatement.
The suspended play must apply to the NFL's front office. The league
will then review his conduct and statements from his doctor's office
and make a decision about whether or not he should be reinstated.
This could take 2-3 weeks.
Even if the league does approve his reinstatement, however,
there is currently no room on the roster for him and the team would
have to waive one of the other players.
My Comments:
I have never seen a season that is this filled with severe
injuries. Whether it's the fact that players are getting stronger and
faster or whether it's just bad luck, the fact remains that the
Dolphins have been severely set back by injuries this year.
Unfortunately, there is little to be done about it, other than
to ride it out. The Dolphins must just keep doing more with less and
hope that everything works out for the best by the end of the season.
Fred Barnett's "rest" may catapult Brian Manning into a
starting spot if Fred can't find his legs this week. It may also give
Qadry Ismail a chance to have some more playing time. JJ has already
said that Ismail is better than JJ thought he would be.
As for Clayton Holmes, I don't think that the Dolphins need
him back on the team. One area that hasn't been hit hard with
injuries has been at defensive back and Holmes was not the best player
at that position.
Of course, it all depends on whether or not the league
reinstates him and they may well not. We'll have to wait and see on
that one.
Related Info:
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Curt Fennell,
curt@phins.com, DOLFAN in New Rochelle (almost)
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