Dolphins’ Xavien Howard carted off vs. Ravens; Miami without Raheem Mostert

BALTIMORE — Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard was carted off from the team’s sideline in Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.

Howard left the game on the team’s opening defensive series with a left foot injury. He was examined in the team’s injury tent on the sideline before being taken inside to the locker room on the cart. Howard’s left foot was bare, and the CBS broadcast reported he could not put any weight on the foot.

The Dolphins cornerback is officially questionable to return.

Eli Apple entered the game to replace Howard, first as the boundary cornerback in the nickel package but then later leapfrogging Kader Kohou for boundary duties in the base package.

Howard entered Sunday questionable with hip and thumb injuries but was able to start.

Mostert out

The Dolphins did not have running back Raheem Mostert available in Sunday’s critical game against the Baltimore Ravens for the No. 1 seed in the AFC.

Mostert was announced as inactive 90 minutes before kickoff at M&T Bank Stadium.

Along with Mostert, right guard Robert Hunt was officially ruled out after traveling with the team and entering Sunday doubtful with a hamstring injury.

Good news on the injury front for Miami was that six players that entered questionable — cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey (knee) and Howard (hip/thumb), safety Jevon Holland (knees), right tackle Austin Jackson (oblique) and fellow offensive linemen Liam Eichenberg (calf/ankle) and Lester Cotton (hip) — were active.

Mostert entered Sunday questionable with knee and ankle injuries. He had been nursing the knee for several weeks, but the ankle came into play this past week after he was in and out of the lineup with what was originally thought to be a shin ailment in last Sunday’s 22-20 win over the Dallas Cowboys.

Being without their top tailback Sunday in Baltimore, was another huge blow to an offense that is already missing No. 2 wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, ruled out Friday. Between the two of them, they have accounted for 2,213 total yards from scrimmage in 2023.

Mostert is having a career year at age 31. He has 18 rushing touchdowns and 21 total, both Dolphins franchise single-season records. With 1,012 rushing yards, he has surpassed quadruple digits for the first time in his career.

Mostert missed Wednesday and Thursday practices this past week and was limited Friday. Nonetheless, Miami running backs coach Eric Studesville indicated he expected to have him available. Coach Mike McDaniel called it something Miami would manage throughout the week, but he still seemed optimistic speaking ahead of Friday drills.

“Raheem is probably a guy that I’m least worried about in life in terms of, I just know him so well and his prerequisite toughness,” McDaniel said.

Without Mostert, speedy rookie running back De’Von Achane takes on a larger role. Veteran Jeff Wilson Jr. will expand his snap count and complement Achane with physical running. Against the Cowboys, Wilson’s late runs converted a first down that allowed the Dolphins to leave no time on the clock with kicker Jason Sanders’ game-winning field goal.

Miami also has undrafted rookie Chris Brooks as a third running back that can bring a physical presence to the backfield.

Surprise scratch

Dolphins defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah was a surprise healthy inactive before the Ravens game.

Miami gave its lone practice squad elevation Saturday to outside linebacker Melvin Ingram. He likely takes a major role in rotating with starting edge rushers Bradley Chubb and Andrew Van Ginkel, with special teams player Cameron Goode another option. Ingram had a pair of tackles in 21 defensive snaps against the Cowboys last week.

Ogbah, who has a $17.2 million cap hit this season tweeted before Sunday’s game, “Wow lol,” in possible reaction to being told he was inactive.

The Dolphins also have tight end Tyler Kroft and quarterback Skylar Thompson as healthy scratches, with Thompson available as an emergency third quarterback.

Ravens hurt

For the Ravens, safety Kyle Hamilton was out after battling through a knee injury during this past week.

Hamilton was a key in Baltimore’s convincing victory over the San Francisco 49ers last Monday night, with two of the team’s four interceptions on quarterback Brock Purdy for AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.

The Ravens were also without starting right guard Kevin Zeitler (knee/quadriceps) and cornerback Brandon Stephens (ankle), who both entered questionable.

During the game, the Baltimore secondary got further depleted, with Marlon Humphrey hurting his calf.

This story will be updated.