Miami

Dolphins

The Dolphins have been managing Bell’s practice reps for a few weeks, but it hasn’t been an issue on Sundays. He ran 85 percent of the routes in Week 4 and his route share has gone up in every game. He is in the WR5 range headed into Week 5 versus the Bengals.

Dolphins coach Jeff Halfey said Douglas is “doing better” but is not ready to practice yet. It sounds like the rookie will miss another week. Malik Washington will continue to operate as the Dolphins’ No. 1 receiver, putting him in the WR3 mix for Week 5. Fellow rookie Chris Bell has seen his role grow every week, but the fantasy numbers aren’t there to match. He was held without a catch on three targets in Week 4. Bell is a solid long-term stash but barely cracks the WR5 ranks for Miami’s matchup with the Bengals.

It’s hard to know what to make of this, but Douglas has missed back-to-back games with his injury and could be at risk of missing a third straight game if he can’t get on the practice field ahead of Week 5’s game against the Bengals. Douglas did not practice at all last week, so even getting on the field in a limited capacity would be an improvement. His name will be one to keep an eye on when the Dolphins release their first injury report on Wednesday.

The best thing we can say about Wright’s day is that he got the start. The Dolphins kept him out there for the first drive, giving him a chance to keep his position, but he was unable to do so. Ollie Gordon outplayed him as the game progressed, rushing nine times for 100 yards and one touchdown, while Wright was relegated to unproductive offensive snaps and five kick returns for 97 yards. Wright is a zero-floor FLEX against the Bengals next week.

Gordon entered the game on the Dolphins’ second drive, generating one yard and two receptions on three touches during that possession. Things improved from there. After letting nominal starting RB Jaylen Wright and Gordon each play their own drives, the Dolphins eventually began rotating them in and out until Gordon separated on the first drive after halftime. Gordon notched three carries in a row, breaking off a 53-yarder on the second one by navigating traffic and making his way to the left sideline, shedding a jersey grab along the way. On the seventh drive, he had what could have been a breakaway touchdown run blown dead by officials, who thought Gordon was down by contact as he stumbled through the box. It was a close call. He then touched the ball on two-of-four plays on the ensuing drive, including a touchdown run up the middle from 12 yards out, in which Gordon acrobatically vaulted over a downed lineman. Tentatively expect Gordon to be the Dolphins’ starter in Week 5 against the Bengals and treat him as an RB2/FLEX.

This is Coleman’s second consecutive week catching 1-of-4 targets for three yards. He earned two targets on the second drive, which was encouraging. He should have had a double-digit gain on the fifth drive, but Malik Willis’ off-target throw was far too low. Willis targeted him again on the sixth drive, but the pass clanged off Coleman’s hands as he slid toward the sideline in the end zone. He does not need to be rostered in 12-team formats, but he is worth keeping an eye on for later in the year.

Bell’s Week 4 outing was heartbreaking. His near-68-yard touchdown on the Dolphins’ third drive will live with him, and fantasy managers alike, for a while. Malik Willis rolled right out of the pocket, facing pressure and lobbed a wobbly pass to Bell downfield. The rookie wide receiver caught it, took off downfield, stumbled through a leg grab and ran into the end zone. Unfortunately, the officials determined Bell had stepped out of bounds, along the right sideline, during the scramble drill. Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley did not challenge it. Upon replay, one can make the case that his pinky toe’s shadow grazed the white line, but it was an awfully close call. Aside from that, Willis sent him a wobbly, incomplete overthrow beyond the sticks on the Dolphins’ first drive and later tried to force a fadeaway jumper to him 25 yards downfield. The pass was contested and fell incomplete. The talent is there. Despite the rough outing, Bell warrants FLEX consideration against the Saints in Week 5.

Washington remains one of the Dolphins’ primary returners despite his increased receiving involvement. His day began with a muffed punt that he successfully recovered in the end zone for a touchback. Things improved from there. Washington delivered multiple double-digit gains, functioning effectively as a weapon behind the line of scrimmage and in the flats. He also turned in a 17-yarder via a corner route on play action. Rookie WR Caleb Douglas (ankle) may return for next week’s game against the Saints. If he remains sidelined, Washington should be FLEX-viable, though his ceiling is questionable.

Willis’ biggest plays of the day are the ones that didn’t count. Willis rolled out of the pocket, escaping pressure, on the Dolphins’ third drive and hit Chris Bell downfield for what could have been a 68-yard touchdown. Unfortunately, the officials determined that the tiniest edge of Bell’s right cleat grazed the sideline pre-catch, during the scramble drill, negating the play altogether. Heartbreaking. Willis also had a 10-yard scramble called back due to holding on the Dolphins’ fifth drive. He attempted a running fadeaway pass 25 yards downfield to Bell on 3rd-and-8 on the Dolphins’ ninth drive, but the catch was contested and ultimately fell incomplete. He is a QB2 against the Bengals next week.

Dolphins RB Ollie Gordon is rotating in behind Wright, confirming Wright is the team’s current starter. That said, the Dolphins could still split the backfield workload almost evenly. We won’t know what the plan is until the game is underway. For now, Wright should be viewed as the slightly safer FLEX, though both running backs could get bottled up by the Vikings’ defense today.