Dolphins get back Raheem Mostert, OBJ against Pats but lose Jordan Poyer, Jeff Wilson

The Miami Dolphins struggling rushing attack will regain the team’s Pro Bowl tailback for Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots.

Raheem Mostert, who suffered a chest injury on his second snap of Miami’s season opening win against the Jacksonville Jaguars, will participate in his first game of the past three weeks.

Mostert, who rushed for 1,012 yards, scored a franchise record 21 touchdowns and delivered the second-most productive statistical season from a tailback in 2023, has only gained 9 rushing yards on six carries. He has practiced on a limited basis the last three weeks but was not cleared to play in any of the games because of concern his injury would worse.

De’Von Achane and rookie Jaylen Wright have handled most of the tailback workload in his absence, but Miami’s rushing attack has fallen far short of expectations.

The Dolphins are averaging 3.7 rushing yards per game, and have only score two rushing touchdowns. The hope is that Mostert’s return, and his level of expertise when it comes to utilizing the outside zone, will help jump start the run game, which would create some balance for Miami’s stagnant offense, which heads into Sunday’s game as the NFL’s second worst scoring offense because of the team’s 13 points per game average.

Jeff Wilson, who helped jumpstart the Dolphins’ rushing attack against the Jaguars during Week 1, won’t suit up against the Patriots. Other inactives include quarterback Skylar Thompson, safety Jordan Poyer, cornerback Ethan Bonner, offensive lineman Andrew Meyer as well as linebackers Channing Tindall and Mohamed Kamara.

With Poyer out, veteran safety Marcus Maye will start while Nik Needham, who was called up from the practice squad on Saturday, could provide additional support. Kamara’s inactive status is a bit surprising considering the loss of star edge rusher Jaelan Phillips, who suffered a season-ending partial ACL tear in Monday’s game against the Tennessee Titans.

Also expected back for Sunday’s AFC East showdown against the New England Patriots is Pro Bowl left tackle Terron Armstead, cornerback Kendall Fuller and inside linebacker David Long Jr.

Armstead and Fuller sat out last week’s game against the Tennessee Titans after suffering a concussion the previous week. An All-Pro tackle, Armstead will be tasked with protecting Tyler Huntley’s blindside while Fuller brings Super Bowl experience to a secondary that has certainly fallen short of expectations.

Odell Beckham Jr. is also expected to make his season debut on Sunday.