Storm

Duck

A huge loss for those of us who believe in the power of names. Duck played only 44 snaps over two games as he dealt with an oblique injury early in the season. The 2024 UDFA should have a role in the 2026 Dolphins DB room, although with mass leadership changes looking somewhat likely, perhaps things could change.

The 33-year-old tight end will try again next week. He remained limited through all three practices this week, which seemingly gives him decent odds of suiting up against the Jets in Week 4. The Dolphins’ injury-depleted secondary should allow the Bills to throw the ball efficiently, albeit in a likely run-heavy game script.

Wright is set to miss his second straight game due to a knee injury. He practiced in a limited fashion to end the week, but is still not ready to return to game speed, making Ollie Gordon the primary No. 2 running back for Week 2. Waller (hip) was ruled out earlier this week while Duck (ankle), Bonner (hamstring), and Jones (obique) will be missing for a defense that is already struggling.

Duck was at the bottom of a pile while making a tackle in the second quarter. He was able to hobble off the field before the cart took him the rest of the way into the locker room. The Dolphins’ secondary is incredibly banged up, so Duck was acting as one of their top corners. With him off the field, Rasul Douglas, who has only been with the team for a week, will step in as a boundary cornerback.

The Dolphins appear dead set on a split with No. 1 CB Jalen Ramsey, which would leave them with slot CB Kader Kohou as the only reliable starter at the position. The 30-year-old Douglas is no longer a high-impact perimeter starter, having produced a single-digit (6.5 percent) forced incompletion rate last year; the first time doing so since 2018. He would still likely be an upgrade over penciled-in perimeter starters, Storm Duck and Cam Smith. Should the team resolve their issues with Ramsey, and sign Douglas, they would suddenly have a decent starting trio on their hands.

The Tar Heels could receive a welcome boost in the secondary for Saturday’s game, as Duck (6'1/195) has returned to practice. It’s important to keep in mind that no decision has been made regarding his status for the matchup with Notre Dame, but the fact that the sophomore cornerback is back on the field is good news. Also, fellow sophomore cornerback Kyler McMichael (undisclosed) has already been declared available for the game.

Corrales (6'3/205) has not appeared in a game since the Tar Heels’ October 17 loss at Florida State due to his lower body injury, robbing the Tar Heels of one of the top options in the passing game. Dyami Brown has increased his production with the senior wide receiver sidelined, with Dazz Newsome and Emery Simmons also stepping up. As for Duck, he hasn’t played since North Carolina’s win at Boston College back on October 3. Patrice Rene and Ladaeson Hollins started at cornerback in Saturday’s win over Duke.

Neither Corrales (6'3/205) nor Duck was available for this past weekend’s loss to Virginia, as two of the Tar Heels’ most important players remain sidelined due to injury. At the wide receiver position Dyami Brown will be targeted even more in the passing game, as he reached the end zone three times against the Cavaliers. As for cornerback, with Duck sidelined Patrice Rene and Ladaeson Holmes will likely start for the second straight week.

Duck (6'1/195) will be out for the fourth straight game, and it’s possible that his backup could be sidelined as well. Patrice Rene, who filled in for the sophomore corner in the Tar Heels’ October 17 loss at Florida State, was also held out of this past weekend’s home win over NC State. Rene, whose injury also hasn’t been made public, will be evaluate throughout the week before a decision is made regarding his status for the matchup with Virginia. Sophomores Kyler McMichael and Don Chapman started at corner against the Wolfpack.

The Tar Heels will once again be without their best cornerback, as Duck (6'1/195) was also held out of games against Virginia Tech and Florida State. The sophomore’s absence means another start for Patrice Rene, who tallied three total tackles (two solo) and one pass breakup in Saturday’s 31-28 loss to the Seminoles.