Dolphins’ Xavien Howard, Connor Williams return to practice; coaches talk O-line, Jeff Wilson

MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Dolphins got good news on the injury front Thursday with cornerback Xavien Howard, center Connor Williams, left tackle Kendall Lamm and fullback Alec Ingold all back on the practice field after they missed Wednesday’s practice.

Howard, who left last Sunday’s win over the Carolina Panthers with a groin injury, is particularly important as the Dolphins will likely need him in the lineup against the Philadelphia Eagles and receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith on Sunday night.

“That’s yet to be determined,” Dolphins defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said of Howard’s status against Philadelphia, noting he would be a limited participant in practice, which he was officially on the injury report released later. “We’ll see how he progresses through the rest of the week.”

Howard had to play through groin ailments much of last season, and it affected his play. He participated in a practice with Jalen Ramsey for the first time this regular season after Ramsey’s return Wednesday from meniscus surgery on his left knee early in training camp. Ramsey, while practicing, has already been ruled out by coach Mike McDaniel.

Also in the secondary, cornerback Kader Kohou (neck) was limited for a second straight practice.

Williams, a limited participant, is also battling through a groin ailment. He missed the game against the Panthers and the loss at the Buffalo Bills while playing the week in between against the New York Giants.

Williams, although he wasn’t seen very active in drills during the media viewing periods of practice, said afterward he is taking it day by day after a slight aggravation playing Oct. 8 against New York. He is “optimistic” about being available Sunday in Philadelphia.

Ingold is managing a foot injury that he played through against Carolina and was limited. Lamm merely missed Wednesday’s practice due to a personal matter and was removed from the injury report Thursday.

Outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel was not seen at practice during media viewing periods.

Officially listed on the injury report with an illness, it seems he attended to a family matter regarding the health of their children. His wife posted on X: “It’s tough to see your kids hurting.. thankful they seem to be on the mend.”

Running back Chris Brooks, already known to be missing weeks, per coach Mike McDaniel, was also not at practice with ankle and knee injuries.

The Eagles had Smith (hamstring) and All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson (ankle) return to practice on a limited basis Thursday after missing Wednesday. Cornerback Darius Slay (knee) and defensive tackle Milton Williams (ankle) were upgraded to full participants after being limited Wednesday.

Safety Reed Blankenship (ribs) and cornerback Bradley Roby (shoulder) missed a second consecutive practice. Defensive tackle Jalen Carter (ankle) and tight end Dallas Goedert (groin) remained limited Thursday.

Offensive line improvement

For years upon years, the Dolphins offensive line has been maligned for being at the heart of many of the franchise’s struggles to move the ball and score.

Now, the Miami line is tied for second-fewest sacks allowed, with six, and is paving the way for the team’s No. 1 rushing attack.

Why the sudden change this year in a second season under McDaniel and offensive coordinator Frank Smith — and first under offensive line coach Butch Barry?

“The magical powder we throw over the practice field,” Smith playfully replied. “There’s no one single thing that you can really say. It’s a collective group buy-in to what they’re trying to do and trying to accomplish and then going out to uphold that standard every day.”

That offensive line will have to block against a stout Eagles defensive front Sunday night.

“Very good group that knows who they are,” Smith said. “They play very well. They’ve had a lot of success there. They have their style of play and the way they want to attack an offense.”

Wilson’s progress

With running back Jeff Wilson Jr., by all accounts, ready to return to gameplay from injured reserve and participating in a full practice for the first time Wednesday, he could be activated off IR before Miami faces Philadelphia. The Dolphins may be more enticed with Chris Brooks set to miss weeks, according to coach Mike McDaniel.

“It comes down to the end of the week, where we’re at with guys and what we need for the active roster for Sunday,” Smith said of Wilson not getting the call up against the Panthers. “Ultimately, when guys are ready to go and they’ve exhibited what is necessary for Sunday, then it just comes down to what are our needs as far as depth throughout the complete roster. It’s never as easy as he’s ready, so here. You have to balance and weigh the entire group and what’s necessary for the game.”

Running backs coach Eric Studesville noted of Wilson: “How physical he runs the ball. He brings a physical component to it. But, overall, like we need all backs to do, he’s done all parts of it, but the physical part is what stands out.”

Studesville painted a tremendous picture of the camaraderie he has among his running backs.

“The room that we have, the running back room, is an exceptional room of young people in it,” Studesville said. “There’s great guys in this room. They’re good football players, but they’re unselfish. And they cheer for each other, they help each other, they work (for) each other, happy for the success of other people.

“When Chris Brooks has that run, everyone’s excited. When De’Von (Achane) has one of those runs, 76 yards, one of the first guys down there is Raheem Mostert cheering him on. You see Salvon Ahmed running on the field when somebody scores. Alec Ingold does something, everybody’s happy for him.”