The Miami Dolphins still don't know if or when Jason Sanders can come off injured reserve. But fill-in kicker Riley Patterson has been 'outstanding.'
MIAMI GARDENS — Jason Sanders’ injury first came to light when punter Jake Bailey was pressed into trying a 51-yard field goal in the preseason finale.
After that game, Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said he didn’t believe Sanders’ hip problem is anything to worry about heading into the regular-season opener against Indianapolis. That was quickly amended by McDaniel, who said based on Sanders’ own initial forecast, it’s proof his kicker is “not the greatest doctor.”
Five weeks later, there’s still no indication when — or if — Sanders might be activated off injured reserve.
When pressed on whether Sanders might in fact miss the entire season, special teams coordinator Craig Aukerman said, “I don’t know.”
At least there’s a bright spot in this story, one of the few such positive turns during Miami’s 1-5 start. The Dolphins scrambled to hold a tryout with four kickers and settled on Riley Patterson, a fourth-year pro who has delivered more than they had a right to expect.
Patterson has made seven of eight field-goal attempts and is perfect on extra points. His only miss was a second-quarter try against the Los Angeles Chargers from 57 yards. Patterson came back on Miami’s next possession to make a 47-yarder.
“He’s done an outstanding job for us, going in there, making field goals,” Aukerman said. “He missed the 57-yarder, but I was really proud of him coming back, getting on the left hash, making a big field goal for us. That was big time. Some guys can go in the dumps when they miss a field goal, but Riley was ready to go and kick one.”
Patterson also succeeded in a so-called “dirty ball” kickoff, a knuckler that is difficult for return men to judge. Aukerman said when those kickoffs were brought up by coaches, Patterson was “fired up and ready to go. So we trust Riley.”
Sanders is one of the NFL’s top kickers and coming off one of the best seasons of his career.
“I just want him to be healthy and get back ready to go, whether it’s any type of week,” Aukerman said. “We want what’s best for the player. And what’s best for the player right now is taking it day by day, week by week. And when he’s ever ready to go, we’ll be excited to have him.”
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Dolphins special teams coach says 'I don't know' on Jason Sanders missing season
Category: Football
