Two Dolphins bubble players placed in walking boots

Two Miami Dolphins players whose standing with the team weren’t on stable footing will not play in Friday night’s preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers because of injuries they recently suffered.

Erik Ezukanma, a 2022 fourth-round round pick, suffered what appears to be a left foot injury in Wednesday’s joint practice against the Buccaneers, and was sporting a walking boot before Friday’s game, which he isn’t participating in.

Also not participating in the game is rookie safety Patrick McMorris, who had his right foot in a boot.

Like Ezukanma, McMorris, the Dolphins’ 2024 sixth-round pick, was on the bubble to make the 53-man roster. At this point it’s unclear how serious his injury is, but it’s possible that it could create an avenue for the Dolphins to place him on injured reserve, creating an opening for him to stay with the team in 2024.

Ezukanma had a strong two weeks of practice after returning from an undisclosed injury. In last Saturday’s 13-6 preseason win over the Washington Commanders led the team in targets, catches and yards, producing 65 yards on five catches.

While we don’t know the severity of his leg or foot injury, it’s possible that he could also begin 2024 on injured reserve.

However, the Dolphins receiver unit have been thinned out by injuries this camp and it could lead to Miami claiming receivers, or signing veteran receivers after Tuesday’s cut day, which is when every team trims its 90 player training camp roster to 53.

Tyreek Hill (hand), Jaylen Waddle (soft tissue issue), Odell Beckham (undisclosed), River Cracraft (upper body), Braylon Sanders, Anthony Schwartz and now Ezukanma are all nursing injuries that will leave Miami with a depleted receiver room heading into Friday night’s preseason game against the Buccaneers, and possibly the Sept. 8 season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Mike White expected to start against Bucs

White, the Dolphins second-team quarterback in 2023, will start Friday night’s game against the Buccaneers, which leaves Skylar Thompson to close out the preseason finale.

This is a role reversal considering Thompson has spent the majority of training camp and the exhibition season as Tua Tagovailoa’s backup. Tagovailoa, like most of Miami’s starting players, will not participate in Friday night’s preseason game.

The only projected starter who will actually play against the Buccaneers is left guard Robert Jones, who has worked as the starter for the entire preseason.

Second year tailback Chris Brooks, who suffered a concussion last week, is not participating in Friday’s preseason finale. Neither is Tanner Conner, a third-year tight end who is battling to become the fourth tight end on the 53-man roster. Only Jody Fortson Jr. and Hayden Rucci were dressed for the Buccaneers game.