Dolphins sign former Jets offensive lineman to practice squad; Miami’s comeback by the numbers

The Dolphins signed offensive lineman Brandon Shell to the practice squad and released defensive tackle Christopher Hinton from the practice squad Monday.

Shell’s signing, which was reported by ESPN as an expectation last week, adds an offensive line option to help shore up starting right tackle Austin Jackson (ankle) being placed on the short-term injured reserve list last week. Jackson must miss at least four games, starting with Sunday’s stunning 42-38 comeback victory at Baltimore.

Shell, 30, has 61 career starts, and one playoff start, in more than six seasons with Seattle (2020-21) and the New York Jets (2016-19). Shell was a fifth-round pick by the Jets in 2016 out of South Carolina.

Greg Little started at right tackle and performed well Sunday against the Ravens.

The Dolphins’ starting offensive line, which entered the Baltimore game with Jackson sidelined and left tackle Terron Armstead questionable with a toe injury, stayed intact for all 71 plays at Baltimore with center Connor Williams at center, Liam Eichenberg at left guard and Robert Hunt at right guard.

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was only sacked once during his career-best day at Baltimore, and the Dolphins had a respectable 86 yards rushing on 18 carries (4.8 yards per carry).

Playing time

Among the notable numbers for the Dolphins’ snap count at Baltimore, tight end Mike Gesicki had 44 snaps (62%), most among tight ends, followed by Durham Smythe’s 35 snaps (49%) and Tanner Conner (one snap; was listed at wide receiver). Tight ends Cethan Carter (concussion protocol) and Hunter Long (illness) were inactive.

Running backs Raheem Mostert (39 snaps) and Chase Edmonds (36) were about equal in snaps while full back Alec Ingold had 25 snaps (35%).

Defensively, safety Jevon Holland and linebacker Jerome Baker were the only ones to play all 59 snaps. Cornerback Xavien Howard played 52 snaps (88%) while cornerbacks Nik Needham (26 snaps, 44%), Kader Kohou (25 snaps, 42%) and Keion Crossen (20, 34%) all got a good amount of playing time.

On special teams linebacker Duke Riley (24 snaps, 80%) and defensive back Justin Bethel (24 snaps, 80%) led the way followed by cornerback Elijah Campbell (22 snaps, 73%), wide receiver Trent Sherfield (18 snaps, 60%), Crossen (17 snaps, 57%), linebackers Sam Eguavoen and Andrew Van Ginkel (17 snaps, 57%), Smythe (16 snaps, 53%) and Conner (15 snaps, 50%).

Quick look at showdown ahead

Buffalo, which visits Hard Rock Stadium next Sunday, hosts Tennessee on Monday Night Football, which means the Bills come to South Florida on a short week for what could be a hot, humid 1 p.m. kickoff.

Buffalo, however, has beaten the Dolphins seven consecutive games.

Tua nominated for FedEx Air Player of the Week award

Dolphins fans can vote for Tagovailoa (36 of 50, 469 yards passing, six touchdowns, 124.1 passer rating), who is among the nominees for the FedEx Air NFL Player of the Week Award.

Other nominees are Detroit quarterback Jared Goff (20 of 34, 256 yards, four touchdowns, 121.7 passer rating) in the Lions’ 36-27 win over Washington, and New York Jets quarterback Joe Flacco (26 of 44 for 307 yards, four touchdowns, 110.7 passer rating) in a 31-30 victory over Cleveland.

Voting is open through 3 p.m. Wednesday at NFL.com/FedEx or via Twitter (@NFL) published polls or on the NFL app.

Dolphins’ defense

Speaking of Buffalo, they have a high-powered offense and the Dolphins defense had a shaky performance until the fourth quarter, when it made some key stops, none bigger than the one-yard loss to Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson fourth-and-1 at the Dolphins’ 40-yard line.

“We played four quarters of football, especially in that second half,” said Howard, who was burned badly on a 75-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter. “We made adjustments and made plays.”

The Ravens totaled 473 yards and 8.8 yards per play. But Baltimore only managed three points in the fourth quarter.

Where it ranks

The Dolphins trailed, 28-7, at halftime Sunday at Baltimore, and 35-14 entering the fourth quarter.

Sunday’s comeback victory ties for the second-largest comeback in franchise history behind a 24-point comeback in a 34-27 victory over New England on Dec. 15, 1974 in the season finale at the Orange Bowl. In that game the Dolphins trailed, 24-0, in the second quarter, 24-17 at halftime, and were tied at 24 entering the fourth quarter.

Sunday’s comeback is tied with a 21-point comeback 24-23 victory at Buffalo on Dec. 4, 2005. The Dolphins trailed, 21-0, after the first quarter, 21-3 at halftime, and 23-3 entering the fourth quarter before scoring 21 points in the final 11:40.

An amazing ‘first’

The Dolphins, according to NFL Research, are the first team in league history to have a player with at least 400 passing yards and at least five passing touchdowns in the same game two receivers had at least 170 receiving yards and at least two touchdown receptions.

Tagovailoa ended with 469 yards passing and six touchdowns while wide receivers Tyreek Hill (11 receptions, 190 yards, two touchdowns) and Jaylen Waddle (11 receptions, 171 yards, two touchdowns) filled out the never-seen accomplishment.

By the numbers

2 – Tagovailoa is the second-youngest quarterback since 1950 to pass for 450 yards and six touchdowns behind Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes;

4 – Tagovailoa’s four fourth-quarter touchdown passes are a franchise record for touchdown passes in a quarter;

13 – Tagovailoa’s number of completed passes in the fourth quarter. Tagovailoa was 13 of 17 for 199 yards and four touchdowns in the fourth quarter for and a 154.2 passer rating (158.3 is perfect);

28 – Most points the Dolphins have ever scored in a fourth quarter, tied for most points in a quarter in franchise history (28-point second quarter vs. Boston Patriots on Dec. 17, 1967);

142 – Hill had five receptions for 142 yards and two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, the most receiving yards in a fourth quarter in the NFL since the Dolphins’ Albert Wilson had 150 in the fourth quarter against Chicago on Oct. 14, 2018;

199 – Tagovailoa’s fourth-quarter passing yards, the most by a Dolphins quarterback in the fourth quarter since Joey Harrington passed for 227 yards on Oct. 22, 2006 vs. Green Bay;

233 – Yards of offense the Dolphins had in Sunday’s fourth quarter.

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