Miami Dolphins standout rookie safety Jevon Holland will not play against the New York Jets in Sunday’s 1 p.m. kickoff at Hard Rock Stadium despite getting removed off the reserve/COVID-19 list on Saturday.
Holland entered Sunday questionable on the team’s injury report, but he was officially downgraded to out more than four hours before kickoff on Sunday morning with a “non-injury-related illness.” He did not practice all week after originally landing on the COVID list on Monday.
The Dolphins (6-7) will face the Jets (3-10) without a top offensive and defensive rookie. In addition to Holland, slot receiver Jaylen Waddle will miss Sunday’s game against the AFC East rival after he was placed on the COVID list on Thursday. Holland has 51 tackles, two interceptions, two sacks and a pair of fumble recoveries in his first NFL season while Waddle is on pace to break a rookie receptions record, hauling in 86 passes for 849 yards and four touchdowns, plus one rushing score.
Miami is also missing running back Phillip Lindsay, and practice squad running back Gerrid Doaks is also on the COVID list. The Dolphins activated running backs Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed off the COVID list on Friday, and they are available to play, alongside Duke Johnson, who was elevated from the practice squad as a COVID replacement this past week.
The Dolphins still have offensive lineman Austin Jackson (illness), tight end Adam Shaheen (knee) and safety Clayton Fejedelem (ankle) listed as questionable ahead of kickoff against New York.
Without Holland at free safety, the Dolphins are likely to start veteran Eric Rowe alongside Brandon Jones at safety. Rowe replaced Jones at strong safety in the past two wins against the Carolina Panthers and New York Giants, but Jones is now back from his elbow injury.
This story will be updated.
Source: Berkshire mont