Miami Dolphins vs New England Patriots Inactive and Injury Reports for Week 2 Sunday Night Football

• Three of five starters along the offensive line of the New England Patriots are listed as questionable in the NFL injury reports for their SNF game with the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, September 17
• Dolphins All Pro CB Xavien Howard (thumb) is also carrying an injury designation of questionable for the game
• The Dolphins vs Patriots injury reports and inactives for the NFL Week 2 SNF game are listed in the story below

As the Miami Dolphins arrive in Foxboro for the Week 2 SNF game against the Patriots, who will come to the protection of New England quarterback Mac Jones is a fair question to pose.

The NFL injury reports are showing that three of the starting five along the offensive front for the Patriots are questionable to play in this game. Meanwhile, Pro Bowl cornerback Xavien Howard of the Dolphins is also showing as questionable due to a thumb ailment.

In the Dolphins vs Patriots odds, Miami is set as 2.5-point road favorites over New England.

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Dolphins Howard, Armstead Prefer to Be on Grass

Howard and starting LT Terron Armstead (knee) are carrying injury designations of questionable this week and both Dolphins players are of the belief that performing on field turf instead of grass is playing a role in their injury status. Howard is dealing with ankle and back issues along with his thumb.

Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert seen at practice Thursday after being listed as DNP Wednesday. LT Terron Armstead was again practicing Thursday, this time without red jersey.

— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) September 14, 2023

The good news for Miami was that both players doffed their non-contact jerseys and returned to practice late in the week. That’s a hopeful sign of both learning toward playing against New England. Armstead didn’t play in Week 1 against the Los Angeles Chargers. Kendall Lamm started at LT for Miami.

Miami Dolphins Injury Report

As well, RB Raheem Mostert (knee) was returning to practice and his injury designation was removed. The only other starter with an injury listed is WLB Jaelan Phillips. He’s questionable with a back issue.

So far in the NFL public betting splits, the Pats are getting the vast majority of ATS handle (75% as 2.5-point home underdogs) but Miami is getting all the love on the moneyline (89% as -142 road favorites).

Status of Patriots OL Is Downright Offensive

While the New England offensive line is clearly in shambles, the honest truth of the matter is that things could’ve been worse. At the outset of the week, starting center David Andrews was also questionable due to a hamstring injury.

Nowadays, it's tough for players to clear concussion protocol in time to play in the next week's game, re: Trent Brown and Sidy Sow.

The #Patriots will hopefully have Strange and Onwenu back. But they might have to flip Anderson to LT and play Lowe/Wheatley at RT.

— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) September 13, 2023

He has been since cleared to play against Miami, but Andrews may not be seeing familiar faces on either his left or right sides. LG Cole Strange (knee) and RG Mike Onwenu (ankle) were on the inactive list for New England’s Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and are designated as questionable for this game.

New England Patriots Injury Report

Adding to the issues along the offensive front, LT Trent Brown and backup RG-RT Sidy Sow and both in the NFL concussion protocol and showing as questionable.

Elsewhere on offense, starting WR DeVante Parker (knee) is questionable. On the defense, starting LCB Jonathan Jones (ankle) is also questionable.

The Dolphins vs Patriots player props the top New England receiver is Kendrick Bourne at just 39.5 yards.

How Could Injuries Affect Dolphins vs Patriots Betting Lines?

Puzzling together an offensive line is proving to be challenging for Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. Sow started last week in place of Onwenu, so if both are unable to go, it will be adding another layer of concern. But the Patriots didn’t opt to activate any OL from the practice roster, so it would appear that that ailing starters are trending in the right direction.

Atonio Mafi was the starter at LG for Strange. Both Brown and Sow were playing 80% of the offensive snaps for New England against Philadelphia. Veteran Riley Reiff (knee) is already on IR for the Patriots. WR Parker didn’t play last week. On a positive note, if Parker is limited, his backup Kayshon Boutte saw his injury designation (hamstring) lifted. WR Jalen Reagor was activated from the practice roster for additional depth at the position.

It looks as though Armstead will be starting against New England, which would be a big boost for the Miami OL. As well, the latest word is that Howard will be good to go.

On the other hand, Phillips was a late-week addition to the Dolphins injury list. Miami activated Cameron Goode and Chase Winovich from the practice roster to provide cover and depth at OLB.