Dolphins Dealt With Injuries Against Bengals
The team juggled personnel and rotations during Week 5 after several starters exited the game early.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Football
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Miami Dolphins fans saw a shift in the lineup during the Week 5 game against the Cincinnati Bengals as injuries forced multiple key starters out of the action. The team relied on a nickel defensive alignment to adjust to these mid-game absences.
Why it matters
Managing player availability is the primary challenge for the Dolphins staff, with the depth chart being tested by injuries to starters like Jonah Savaiinaea. The upcoming bye week serves as a critical period for these players to recover before the next stretch of the season.
The team logged 66 offensive snaps and 65 defensive snaps during the matchup against the Bengals. It remains unclear how long the injured players will be sidelined following these departures.
The players
Ollie Gordon II
The running back who recorded 43 offensive snaps.
Jonah Savaiinaea
The player who departed the game with an ankle injury after 18 snaps.
Josh Uche
The edge defender who played 45 snaps during the defensive rotation.
Kenneth Grant
The defensive player who recorded 16 snaps and is expected to see more play time after the bye.
The details
On offense, Ollie Gordon II saw 43 snaps in place of De'Von Achane, while Malik Washington and Greg Dulcich led the unit with 53 and 49 snaps respectively. Defensively, the team utilized a nickel alignment, with Josh Uche logging 45 snaps and Willie Gay Jr. playing 37. Jonah Savaiinaea exited the game after 18 snaps due to an ankle injury.
Timeline
Week 3 saw Greg Dulcich play 51 snaps against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Miami Dolphins faced the Cincinnati Bengals on October 12, 2026.
Beyond the 305
The adjustments made during this game follow the standard management strategies required by the 2026 NFL season injury reporting protocols. These moves represent a typical tactical response to in-game health challenges faced by professional squads.
Fans tracking the team should watch for health updates on the four starters who were forced out during the game. These personnel changes will likely dictate the depth chart rotation when the Dolphins return to the field after the bye.
The takeaway
The team must stabilize its rotation after significant defensive and offensive shifts during the Week 5 loss. Keep a close eye on official injury reports issued after the bye week for information on the availability of the four starters who departed early.
What happens next
Kenneth Grant is projected to see an increased defensive snap count following the conclusion of the team bye week.
Further reading
For more on roster updates and team news, visit the Football section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sports Illustrated.
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