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Miami Dolphins three-time Pro Bowl cornerback Xavien Howard was active for the team’s 1 p.m. kickoff against the Lions at Ford Field, as was defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah.
Howard was questionable with a groin injury that has pestered him since the Sept. 18 Week 2 game at the Baltimore Ravens. At one point, the 2020 All-Pro had both groins injured and missed the Oct. 9 game at the New York Jets.
On top of the injury designation, Howard traveled to Detroit separate from the rest of the team ahead of Sunday’s game to attend a funeral for a death in the family.
Howard’s availability was a boost to a secondary that also got fellow cornerbacks Kader Kohou and Keion Crossen back from oblique and knee injuries, respectively. The defensive backfield, however, lost safety Brandon Jones (knee) and cornerback Nik Needham (Achilles) for the season in the past two weeks and hasn’t had cornerback Byron Jones (PUP list) all season.
Ogbah returns from a one-game absence and improves Miami’s pass rush after outside linebackers Jaelan Phillips and Andrew Van Ginkel had solid outings in last week’s win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
In addition to Howard and Ogbah, the other four Dolphins that entered Sunday questionable were available: tight end Durham Smythe, safety Clayton Fejedelem, punter Thomas Morstead, tight end Tanner Conner.
Miami had a surprise healthy scratch among its five inactives. Safety Eric Rowe will not play, despite not having an injury designation going into Sunday and with the Dolphins short at his position with Brandon Jones on injured reserve.
Pregame, Rowe tweeted, “I’m just as shocked too…”
Miami will likely use a combination of Fejedelem and practice-squad elevation Verone McKinley against the Lions.
Other Dolphins inactives were wide receiver River Cracraft, who was ruled out with a neck injury on Saturday, quarterback Skylar Thompson, running back Myles Gaskin and wide receiver Erik Ezukanma.
The Lions had wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown active after clearing concussion protocol and running back D’Andre Swift making a return since being out injured dating back to Week 3.
The Dolphins will go through a third consecutive Sunday where offensive lineman Austin Jackson does not play since returning to practice from his ankle injury. Jackson’s 21-day window to be activated off injured reserve is approaching this week. He practiced on Oct. 12 and 13 but has not been seen on the practice field since. If he doesn’t get activated, he must spend the season on IR. Brandon Shell remains Miami’s starting right tackle on Sunday in Detroit.
This story will be updated.
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