There’s another surprise coming in the Dolphins seconda...

Sep 06, 2010

There’s another surprise coming in the Dolphins secondary.

By now, you know that Will Allen has been placed on injured reserve, even though he was targeting a return for the Sept. 26 game against the Jets, and maybe even Sept. 19 against the Vikings if the team deemed that necessary.

But here’s something else on the horizon: Sean Smith, who started all 16 games at cornerback as a Dolphins rookie, is not in line to start the season opener.

Fifth-year man Jason Allen has been penciled in as the starting cornerback in place of Smith, and Smith was made aware of that decision over the weekend. Vontae Davis will start at the other perimeter cornerback, and Benny Sapp will serve as the nickel back. Nolan Carroll is also available.

Jason Allen started the third exhibition game against Falcons in place of Smith after the latter violated a team rule by arriving late, and Tony Sparano decided to sit him for the first quarter.

Shortly after entering, Smith was beaten cleanly by Pro Bowl receiver Roddy White on a double-move, but Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan missed the throw. Smith got back in the starting lineup for the fourth game Thursday at Dallas — as Davis rested — and was outrun for a deep touchdown by Cowboys speedster Sam Hurd, one of the few experienced Dallas players in the contest. Not long after, Hurd drew a pass interference call on Smith.

The Dolphins have not given up on Smith.

But, at the moment, they’re ready to give Jason Allen a chance to give them the consistency that Smith has not.

Fantasy Impact:

yesterday

Update on Gardner Minshew: Broken collarbone, out for season

Ian Rapoport

yesterday · 7:57 PM EST

A quick update on Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew: he suffered a broken collarbone against the Broncos and is out for the season.

Fantasy Impact:

We had just posted the quote from head coach Antonio Pierce, saying it didn’t look good. It turned out it wasn’t good. Minshew looked like he was in a lot of pain after taking the his late in the game. Now we have an understanding of that pain. Desmond Ridder came on in relief and the team is expected to activate Aidan O’Connell this week from injured reserve. The Raiders visit Kansas City on Friday.

Antonio Pierce on Gardner Minshew injury: ‘It doesn’t look good.’

Adam Schefter

yesterday · 7:53 PM EST

Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce said “It doesn’t look good” in regards to the shoulder injury to quarterback Gardner Minshew.

Fantasy Impact:

Minshew went down late in the game against the Broncos after taking a sack and looked to be in quite a bit of pain. He’ll undergo further testing to determine the severity of the injury.

Desmond Ridder came on in replacement. He went 5-of-10 for 64 yards and was sacked twice. If Minshew is to miss time, which looks very likely, the Raiders may look to see what they have in the former Falcons quarterback. Vegas is also expected to have Aidan O’Connell back this week. The Raiders are on a short week as they head to Kansas City on Black Friday.

Romeo Doubs ruled out with concussion

Green Bay Packers

yesterday · 6:48 PM EST

Packers WR Romeo Doubs was ruled out of Sunday’s game against the 49ers with a concussion.

Fantasy Impact:

Doubs suffered the injury while attempting a catch in the end zone and landing hard on the back of his helmet. Doubs will not return tonight and it’s almost certain he’ll be ruled out for Thursday night against the Dolphins. If that’s the case, his next chance to return would be the following Thursday against the Lions.