The NFL is preparing for the possibility that this weekend's games hosted by Miami and Carolina might not be played as scheduled because of Hurricane Matthew.
The NFL issued a statement Thursday saying the league is creating a contingency plan for the Dolphins' home game against the Tennessee Titans, which is slated for a 1 p.m. kickoff on Sunday, and for Carolina's Monday night home game against Tampa Bay.
Miami-Dade and Broward counties are not expected to take a direct hit from the Category-4 Hurricane Matthew, but the residual impact of the storm could lead to power outages and blocked and flooded roads.
"We are in close contact with local and state authorities about the hurricane. As always, our overriding concern is the public safety and not doing anything that will divert important resources away from communities that may be in distress," the NFL's statement said.
The league hopes to avoid moving or rescheduling any game, but there is precedent for games to be moved because of inclement weather.
During his radio show earlier this week, Titans coach Mike Mularkey said his team was preparing for the possibility that the game could be moved to Tennessee. It is also possible that Sunday's game between the Dolphins and Titans could be moved to Monday night.
Dolphins coach Adam Gase said the Dolphins prepared for storm scenarios months ago.
The Dolphins' players and coaches took Thursday off. It was already a scheduled day off for the players, but the team closed its facility, which isn't common.
"There are plans in place already," Gase said Wednesday. "We had discussions before we took off for summer break. We had discussions after we got back as far as certain situations and what we would do. We went to the extent of if we ever had to go somewhere else _ those types of things _ if we would have to leave early within a week."
Gase is confident that no matter what the NFL decides about this weekend's home game his team will adjust and be prepared.
"The one thing that I can say is that (the) only (thing) NFL players, coaches and staff members can do is adjust. You go with the flow. If somebody tells you, 'Hey, you have to do this.' You just go with it," said Gase, whose team is scheduled to practice on Friday. "There's no use to worrying about it, complaining about it, because there's nothing you can do about it. You make your plans accordingly and then you move on and get that done."
