NFL Jacksonville JaguarsMiami Dolphins

Week 8 Injury Report For Dolphins vs. Jaguars

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By @K_Momberg

Paul Posluszny Jaguars

Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

If the Jacksonville Jaguars learned anything from last week’s 24-6 win over the Cleveland Browns, it’s that winning in the NFL usually comes at a cost.

The Jaguars suffered their first significant injuries of the season against the Browns. Middle linebacker Paul Posluszny was lost for the season to a torn pectoral, and defensive end Andre Branch will be out for at least the next six weeks with a groin injury.

It will be tough for the Jaguars to replace Posluszny’s leadership and the stability he brings to the defense. In his absence, the team will rely on a pair of youngsters in J.T. Thomas and LaRoy Reynolds. Thomas has started the past four games at the OTTO linebacker position and has a real opportunity to emerge over the remainder of the season.

Branch is second on the team with three sacks, and his injury should be a slight blow to the Jaguars’ pass rush. However, it should provide an opportunity for Ryan Davis and Chris Smith, recently promoted from the practice squad, to gain some significant experience during his absence.

The Jaguars are also dealing with injuries in the secondary, as starting cornerbacks Alan Ball (bicep) and Dwayne Gratz (hip) could both miss Sunday’s game.

On a positive note, Jaguars running back Toby Gerhart is expected to return to action after missing the past two games with a foot injury. In his absence, second-year running back Denard Robinson had the best game of his career last week against the Browns, rushing for 127 yards on 22 carries. Gerhart will likely be used as a reserve as the Jaguars ride the hot-hand of Robinson.

While the Jaguars are dealing with injuries at a key spots, the Miami Dolphins enter Sunday’s game healthier than they have been all season.

Several players, including cornerbacks Cortland Finnegan (neck) and Brent Grimes (groin), safety Jimmy Wilson (hamstring) and linebacker Philip Wheeler (shoulder) are all likely to play Sunday.

The only injury of concern for the Dolphins may be Koa Misi. The fifth-year linebacker missed three games earlier in the season with an ankle injury, but has played well the past two weeks. If he is forced to sit out Sunday it would be a significant blow for the Dolphins’ run defense.

The Dolphins’ health should provide them with a clear advantage during Sunday’s matchup. With the Jaguars dealing with injuries, they will have to rely on youth at several key positions, which is never a recipe for success, especially on a team that is already so young to begin with.

K.J. Momberg is a Jacksonville Jaguars writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @k_momberg or add him to your network on Google.

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