Dolphins down Terron Armstead, Xavien Howard and Bradley Chubb against Patriots – The Mercury News

The Miami Dolphins are even more injury depleted for their critical AFC East showdown Sunday against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Already down starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, Miami will be without left tackle Terron Armstead, cornerback Xavien Howard and outside linebacker Bradley Chubb, as all three were announced as inactives 90 minutes before the 1 p.m. kickoff.

Armstead and Howard are two of the Dolphins’ three Pro Bowl selections this season, both with four in their careers. Chubb is also a former Pro Bowler whom Miami acquired at this season’s trade deadline.

Armstead is out after missing the entire week of practice as he nurses ailments to four body parts — toe, pectoral, knee and hip.

With Armstead out, Miami has Kendall Lamm, who was signed to the active roster from the practice squad Saturday, and Greg Little, who entered questionable with a foot injury sustained at Friday’s practice, at left tackle with Brandon Shell remaining at right tackle. Fellow tackle Eric Fisher is inactive after entering doubtful with a calf injury. In pregame warmups, the team showed Lamm as the starting left tackle.

Howard’s absence for a knee injury that showed up on Thursday’s injury report means the Dolphins may start cornerback Keion Crossen opposite Kader Kohou.

With Chubb out due to hand and ankle ailments, Andrew Van Ginkel may receive more outside linebacker snaps in a rotation with Jaelan Phillips and Melvin Ingram. The team also elevated Brennan Scarlett from the practice squad Saturday.

Fullback Alec Ingold (thumb) and wide receiver River Cracraft (calf) entered questionable but are active.

The Dolphins also have wide receiver Erik Ezukanma and tight end Tanner Conner as healthy inactives.

The Patriots are also ravaged by injuries with seven inactives: Wide receiver DeVante Parker, tight end Jonnu Smith, cornerbacks Marcus Jones, Jalen Mills and Shaun Wade, running back Kevin Harris and defensive tackle Sam Roberts.

Starting line

In pregame warmups, the Dolphins showed Liam Eichenberg as the starting left guard after his activation from injured reserve this week.

There was a debate over whether Miami would keep Robert Jones at the position, where he filled in well in place of Eichenberg since he suffered the knee injury on Oct. 30 at Detroit.

Lamm was lined up with the first-team offensive line at left tackle in his first game signed to the active roster after getting elevated from the practice squad twice. Little appears to be slotted as the swing backup tackle.

This story will be updated.

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