Dolphins to Get Two Crucial Players Back at Practice Ahead of Week 7

The Miami Dolphins' bye week came at the right time, as the team will be getting back two crucial players ahead of their Week 7 matchup with the New York Jets. 

These players are coming back from injury and are not guaranteed to play, but both could make some sizable gains in terms of taking the field. Wide receiver Caleb Douglas and linebacker Kyle Louis will practice on Wednesday. 

Douglas has been out since Week 2 after suffering an ankle injury. Louis suffered a knee injury early in Week 1 and has not been back since.

Both are rookies who were expected to make some serious noise on the Dolphins roster. Douglas certainly did so with an almost 100-yard performance in Week 1. Unfortunately, the ankle injury kept him from truly emerging further.

Louis was one of the more impressive rookies throughout training camp, and he was pegged to be an instant starter. That was set to be the case, but he suffered the knee injury that has sidelined him since then.

Louis' 21-day practice window has been opened, but that does not mean that he will be ready to play against the Jets. He may need some time to ramp back up to football activities after a multi-week layoff.

Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley said he has to see how Louis practices on Wednesday and temper that with the layoff that the linebacker has had since his injury occurred. 

The same thing could be similar to Douglas. The receiver will be monitored today and through the practice week to determine if he is ready to return. 

Hafley also spoke about cornerback Darrell Baker Jr., who suffered an injury in training camp and started the season on IR. The coach said Baker was "close" to returning, but he will not be out at practice this week.

Baker being close to returning might have been a reason that the Dolphins chose to release fellow cornerback Storm Duck. Despite practicing in full for the last two weeks, Duck was released from the PUP list.

Hafley said it was simply due to how confident they are in the current cornerbacks that are on the team. Baker excluded, but he is set to make a return soon.

With a healthier roster incoming, the Dolphins may finally be able to notch a win. They can do so against their divisional rivals on Sunday, as they will take on the Jets.