The Miami Dolphins will be relatively thin from a depth standpoint on the offensive line and receiver unit after placing two former starters on the COVID-19 reserve list on Sunday.
Solomon Kindley, who began this season as a starting guard but has served as a backup most of the season, and Albert Wilson, who ranks third on the receiver unit in receptions, were placed on the COVID list a day before .
Kindley and Wilson join rookie offensive lineman Robert Jones, backup center Greg Mancz, linebacker Duke Riley and tight end Cethan Carter as the Dolphins players who will miss the Saints (7-7) game because they tested positive. None of the players were removed from the COVID-19 list on Sunday by the 4 p.m. deadline, which means they can’t participate in the game.
The Dolphins will receive a roster spot they could use to call up a practice squad player for everyone on the COVID list.
Miami has already elevated receiver Tommylee Lewis, who will likely handle the Dolphins’ kickoff and punt returns like he did last week, and center Cameron Tom to the active roster as COVID replacements.
Miami has four more spots they could use to call up offensive lineman Roderick Johnson, Kion Smith and Adam Pankey to supplement the offensive line, which lacks backups for the Saints game.
As it stands, the Dolphins (7-7) only have the offensive line’s five starters — left tackle Liam Eichenberg, left guard Austin Jackson, center Michael Deiter, right guard Robert Hunt and right tackle Jesse Davis — and Tom available for Monday’s game.
As for receiver, the return of Jaylen Waddle, who missed last week’s win over the Jets because he was on the COVID list, should help the unit, which also possesses DeVante Parker, Isaiah Ford, Mack Hollins and Preston Williams.
Wilson’s absence likely creates more playing time for Ford, Hollins and Williams.
Carter and Riley’s absences will mostly be felt on special teams because the Dolphins have four tight ends ahead of Carter on the depth chart, and Sam Eguavoen and Calvin Munson can fill in for RIley in the defensive packages that feature three inside linebackers.
Miami’s COVID list pales in comparison to .
New Orleans has 20 players on its COVID list, and many of them are starters. The Saints will be forced to start rookie quarterback Ian Book because the team’s top two quarterbacks, Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian, are sidelined by COVID protocols.
The Saints will also play without starting safeties Malcom Jenkins, Jeff Heath and J.T. Gray, linebacker Demario Davis and Kaden Elliss, offensive linemen James Carpenter, Jordan MIlls and Ryan Ramczyk, tight ends Adam Trautman and Juwan Johnson, tailback Dwayne Washington, defensive tackle Christian Ringo, and defensive ends Carl Granderson and Jayln Holmes.
The Saints will be playing without three assistant coaches, but do get back coach Sean Peyton, who missed last week’s game because of COVID protocols.
