Dolphins’ Fangio dishes on Ramsey, Howard, Needham and more as Eagles showdown looms
Dolphins defensive coordinator Vic Fangio offered insight on his defensive backfield Thursday, with Jalen Ramsey and Nik Needham set to return in the weeks to come and Xavien Howard’s status in question for Sunday’s game in Philadelphia.
Howard, who left the Carolina game with a groin injury, returned to practice on a limited basis Thursday after missing Wednesday’s session, Fangio said.
His status for Sunday is “yet to be determined,” Fangio said. “We will see how he progresses the rest of the week.”
If Howard cannot play, Fangio has decisions to make regarding what cornerbacks get snaps beyond Kader Kohou and Eli Apple.
Rookie Cam Smith, who played his first four defensive snaps of the season late in the Carolina game, is “getting more reps in practice and progressing,” Fangio said. “You never know” when Smith might play because of the team’s injury situation.
Fangio said Smith’s four snaps against the Panthers were “uneventful” because he wasn’t targeted.
Fangio used Parry Nickerson as the fourth cornerback — instead of Justin Bethel — against Carolina because he had been impressive in practice.
“I thought he was due an opportunity,” Fangio said. “He played well. He’s quick, fast, instinctive. He’s never played much.”
Fangio did not indicate if the Dolphins will activate Needham this week or next week. He must be moved from the physically unable to perform list to the 53-man roster by next Wednesday to be eligible to play this season.
Fangio said he views Needham as a nickel or dime cornerback or a safety, and an emergency boundary cornerback. Needham, who sustained a torn Achilles tendon in a game last October, has primarily been working on the scout team but has received some non-snap team scouts. He has been a limited participant in his four practices so far, entering Thursday.
“We hope he can [help], if not this week than the weeks to come,” Fangio said. “He’s practiced on the scout team. I’m anxious to see him. Everyone has talked about him. I haven’t seen him. Hopefully we’ll be able to get something out of him. If you are versatile, it helps. We have another week before we have to make a decision on him. We can use him this week if we so choose.”
The Dolphins’ defensive backfield must deal with Eagles Pro Bowl receiver A.J. Brown, who is second in the league in receiving yards (672) and possibly DeVonta Smith, who missed Wednesday’s practice with a hamstring injury.
As for Ramsey, he practiced (on a limited basis) Wednesday for the first time since August knee surgery and will be activated sometime in the next three weeks, but not this week. Fangio said he’s hopeful Ramsey’s return is sooner than later.
Are there schemes or wrinkles in his defense that Fangio hasn’t used but will use when Ramsey returns?
“Any time you have a great player at any position, it will affect how you call the game and how you schematically play. He fits that bill. He has done a great job with his rehab. He has attacked it like I’ve not seen many people attack a rehab.
“Sometimes those great players have something in their DNA that they heal faster. He’s one of the those guys. Also due to the work he’s put in. We’re anxious to get him back. But we have to make sure he’s ready to play before we put him out there. It was nice to see him out there.”
Will Ramsey play the STAR role? “Too early to say, maybe not quite as much as he did” with the Rams, Fangio said.
More from Fangio:
▪ He said linebacker Jaelan Phillips, who played 30 defensive snaps against Carolina, will remain on a pitch count, after missing the two previous games with an oblique injury.
“It’s great we got him in the game last week,” Fangio said. “Hopefully he will be better this week. Still not going to play him full-time. He’s definitely progressing and definitely happy to have him back.”
Outside linebackers coach Ryan Slowik explained that limiting Phillips’ snaps is intended to “try to make sure we do not have any setbacks” with the oblique injury.
▪ Fangio was a consultant with the Eagles last season but said his time there wouldn’t be of much help to the Dolphins this week.
“I was giving them more information than they were giving me,” he said. “If there is any advantage to be gained by me being there last year, it’s in their favor.”
▪ Fangio, preparing his defense to face the Eagles, said their quarterback, Jalen Hurts, “has no weaknesses. I’ve always liked him. I told [Eagles executive vice president] Howie Roseman in 2021, he has his quarterback. His running ability is tops, makes them hard to defend. Excellent scrambler. Great leader.”
▪ Fangio, on the Eagles’ mastery of having their offensive linemen push Hurts (and the pile) to get first downs on third and fourth and short:
“Credit to them for utilizing the rules to their advantage. It’s fair. They would have just as much success with the normal sneak as they do now.”
Fangio said the Eagles have “probably the best offensive line from a talent standpoint.”
