Receiver Odell Beckham Jr., the Dolphins’ most famous offseason acquisition, is set to make his Miami debut on Sunday in New England.
The Dolphins on Saturday moved Beckham from the physically unable to perform list to the 53-man roster, filling an open spot vacated by Friday’s release of quarterback Tim Boyle. The Dolphins removed the ‘questionable’ designation from Beckham; he’s good to go for Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins re-signed Boyle to the practice squad and elevated him for Sunday’s game. With Skylar Thompson still slowed by rib injuries, Boyle likely will back up starter Tyler Huntley against the Patriots.
Safety/cornerback Nik Needham also was elevated from the practice squad for Sunday’s game. He provides depth in the absence of safety Jordan Poyer, who is out with a calf injury.
Cornerback Cam Smith, who was eligible to come off injured reserve, was ruled out for Sunday’s game.
The Dolphins signed Beckham in May with the hope that he would be a dynamic No. 3 receiver and make it more difficult for opponents to blanket Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. But Beckham said last week that he waited too long for offseason knee surgery when he was a free agent, partly because he wanted to spend more time with his son, and that the team knew he likely wouldn’t be healthy enough to start the season.
Beckham originally didn’t plan to sign with a team until during the season, but decided to join the Dolphins in May after developing a strong relationship with coach Mike McDaniel.
He was eligible to return from PUP this week and McDaniel said he looked good in his first Dolphins practice on Thursday.
Beckham, who has dealt with several significant injuries in recent years, has 566 career receptions for 7,932 yards and 59 touchdowns.
He was the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year with the Giants, a second-team All Pro in 2015 and 2016 and a three-time Pro Bowler (2014-16).
Beckham, 31, spent last season with the Baltimore Ravens, catching 35 passes for 565 yards (a 16.1 average) and three touchdowns while appearing in 14 games and starting six.
THIS AND THAT
▪ Running back De’Von Achane said he’s not “upset” about his per carry averaging dropping from a league-leading 7.8 last season to 3.1 this season.
“Last year wasn’t natural,” he said of his historic rushing average. “I wasn’t expecting the same thing. Stuff is hard sometimes. It’s the NFL.”
Achane said he doesn’t “want to change anything” significant about his game. But he said he will make “little adjustments here and there.” He said while watching tape, he sees things he could have done differently on several runs.
▪ Undrafted rookie cornerback Storm Duck, who graded out well in his first NFL start on Monday while filling in for Kendall Fuller, said Titans receiver DeAndre Hopkins was “talking to me” during the game, but Duck couldn’t tell what he was saying.
He called his first NFL start “fun” and said the fact that he’s “even-keeled” helps him.
Fuller is expected back in the lineup on Sunday.
▪ Tight end Jonnu Smith -- who has just nine receptions and no rushing attempts in four games -- indicated he isn’t concerned about his limited touches.
There’s “a lot we didn’t get to” yet in the package of plays for him, Smith said. “It’s a long season. It’s early. It’s a different theme every week. I have to be the best version of myself every snap.”
Asked if the lack of involvement has frustrated him, he said: “It’s more frustrating where we are as a team. You want to help the team as you can. [But] I’m not here to fill up the stat sheet. I’m here to help win games.”
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