Dolphins cornerback Bobby McCain will start in place of rookie Cordrea Tankersley when Miami hosts New England on Monday Night Football. That likely means veteran cornerback Alterraun Verner will play boundary in the nickel package and McCain will shift to the slot, as usual, and as they Dolphins did last week against Denver.
Tankersley (ankle/shoulder) is inactive along with quarterback Matt Moore (foot), right guard Jermon Bushrod (foot), running back Damien Williams (shoulder), tight end A.J. Derby, guard Isaac Asiata and defensive end Cameron Malveaux.
Tankersley, the third-round pick from Clemson, sustained an a shoulder injury early in last week’s 35-9 victory over the Broncos, returned, then sustained an ankle and missed most of the game although he eventually returned.
Miami first used Verner to fill in for Tankersley on the boundary in the base defense. Later, McCain manned the boundary in the base defense while Verner manned the boundary in the nickel with McCain playing the slot.
McCain had an interception against New England quarterback Tom Brady in the Dolphins’ 35-17 loss to the Patriots two weeks ago. McCain was also flagged for throwing an elbow at Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola.
Malveaux, the undrafted rookie from Houston, did fairly well last week in place of rookie defensive tackle Davon Godchaux. But Godchaux is back this week so Malveaux, who was recently promoted from practice squad, is inactive.
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