While the Miami Dolphins have been seemingly unable to get a good break at the running back position, the team did pass some good news through just ahead of Saturday’s deadline to activate players off of the injured reserve each week — second-year running back Myles Gaskin is once again an active member of the roster and will presumably play against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 13.
We have activated RB Myles Gaskin off injured reserve. We have also elevated S Nate Holley as a COVID-19 replacement for Sunday’s game.
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) December 5, 2020
With fellow running backs Matt Breida (COVID-19), Salvon Ahmed (shoulder) and DeAndre Washington (hamstring) not expected to dress for the game, Miami’s ground attack will fall to just two primary running backs, Gaskin and fellow second-year player Patrick Laird. Laird logged a fumble last week in action against the Jets, so Miami may be even more keen to utilize a rested Gaskin for the majority of today’s contest.
Gaskin did not need much time to wrangle the featured ball carrier role away from Breida and former Dolphin Jordan Howard to start the season, despite having the least invested in him as a player. Miami gravitated towards his patience and feel for running and his versatility to bring value on all three downs to the field. That dynamic back in action will be a welcomed sight, even if Gaskin isn’t the most dynamic or explosive athlete.
That’s good news for Gaskin fantasy owners and also good news for the passing game — which is expected to see Tua Tagovailoa return behind center after missing Week 12 with a thumb injury. All of these variables aside, Miami still sits at 7-4 on the season with a chance to jump to 8-4 and tie their best start to a season through 12 games since 2003.
Today is an exciting opportunity for the Dolphins, who need to be ready to seize the moment ahead of a Week 14 clash with the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs to determine just how “for real” this Dolphins team can be in 2020.
