Here’s the latest installment of our Miami Dolphins Q&A, where South Florida Sun Sentinel writers David Furones and Chris Perkins answer questions from readers.

Q: With injuries to both Hill and Waddle, who is the next receiver to step up for the Phins? – Mal B Crazy​ on Dolphins Deep Dive

Wide receivers Tyreek Hill (left ankle) and Jaylen Waddle (left ankle) are both ailing and might be slowed for Sunday’s game at Baltimore. And remember, wide receiver Robbie Chosen left the Dallas Cowboys game due to suspicion of a concussion. If all of them are slowed, and that could be the base, I’d look at Miami distributing the ball among all eligible receivers instead of just wide receivers.

For example, tight end Durham Smythe (five receptions, 56 yards) tied his career-best for receptions and was three yards shy of tying his career high for receiving yards against Dallas. It’d be nice to get slot wide receiver Braxton Berrios more involved in the offense.

But also look for running backs Raheem Mostert, De’Von Achane and perhaps even Jeff Wilson Jr. to be more involved as receivers if Hill, Waddle and Chosen are limited. 

I wouldn’t look for one guy to have, say, 100 yards. I’d look for four or five guys to have perhaps 25 or 30 yards apiece, which could keep the Baltimore defense off balance.

Q: ​Should Fangio go back to what (ex-Dolphins coach) Brian Flores did to create 8+ sacks and 0 blitz Lamar having X and Ramsey healthy ? And switch it up from zone – Sherief West on Dolphins Deep Dive

Interesting question because last year, when Miami was under the directions of coach Mike McDaniel and defensive coordinator Josh Boyer, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson seemed fairly well-prepared for Miami’s zero blitzes. Miami had success with the zero blitz against Baltimore in 2021, however. The big thing this year is Miami, as you mention, has cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey and Xavien Howard to limit Jackson’s passing options when/if he gets pressured.

Still, Dolphins defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has shown a tendency to stick to Miami’s base defense with zone coverage. He’s changed it up on occasion. Ramsey shadowed New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson, but that was mainly because Howard was sidelined with an injury. Fangio blitzed Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott but it wasn’t a constant blitz that broke from Fangio’s tendencies.

My guess is Fangio has some tweaks but he sticks with the base defense, meaning no defensive back shadowing a wide receiver, no linebacker being a fulltime “spy” on Jackson, and plenty of zone coverage. 

Hey, this is the formula that’s earned Miami an 11-4 record.

Q: Do you feel threatened by Baltimore after seeing the game against SF? I feel if we play a clean game and all 4 quarters we can win. Purdy had 4 INTs, D committed penalties and still in it – Richard O’Connor on Dolphins Deep Dive

Baltimore is a high-quality opponent and a very dangerous team. The Dolphins have no reason to fear Baltimore, but they must respect Baltimore (despite scoring 28 points on the Ravens in the fourth quarter last year for a dramatic 42-38 victory).

Yes, San Francisco had an outside chance to win in the fourth quarter after quarterback Brock Purdy threw four interceptions in Monday’s game, which the 49ers lost, 33-19, to the Ravens. And, yes, the 49ers, who threw five interceptions overall, committed 10 penalties for 102 yards. Yes, San Francisco was incredibly sloppy.

But each game is different.

If you’re a Ravens fan you probably point to the Dolphins allowing Tennessee to overcome a 14-point deficit in the final four minutes or so to record a 28-27 victory in Miami as a reason the Ravens shouldn’t be scared of the Dolphins.

I think the Baltimore-Miami game comes down to the final possession, just as the Dallas game.

Q: When will Claypool see more action? Feel like he could really help us – Jason Stavros​ on Dolphins Deep Dive

Good question. We keep hearing from McDaniel and offensive coordinator Frank Smith that they have a package for wide receiver Chase Claypool, but we never see it, especially in short yardage, red zone, and goal-line situations.  

Miami has struggled in those situations and it seems Claypool, with his 6-foot-4, 238-pound frame, could help. On the other hand, if he could help he’d already be on the field.

It’s a similar situation with Wilson from the standpoint if the Dolphins thought he could help more situationally, he’d be on the field in those situations. 

The Dolphins coaching staff isn’t perfect when it comes to situational substitutions, but they’ve been pretty good. I have to believe Claypool hasn’t shown them enough to be considered situationally reliable.

​Q: Why do you think nationally the Dolphins are looked at as a soft team? They lead the league in sacks and are top 10 vs the run. Very physical. Guess it’s just bc of the offense. Narratives – Steve Camara on Dolphins Deep Dive

This is just the offense when you talk about being soft, not the defense. And I don’t think the offense is viewed as soft. I think it’s viewed as finesse and speedy, neither of which makes you think this team is offensively rugged or hard-nosed, especially in short yardage, red zone or goal-line situations. And that’s all true.

Defensively, this team is aggressive and physical at all three levels — line, linebacker and secondary.

Offensively, this team has a beaten-up offensive line, a quick-release passing game, speedy wide receivers, speedy running backs and tight ends that are good blockers but not physically imposing.

Miami doesn’t have a physical offense, and that’s OK. It just needs to figure a way to be more effective in third-and-short situations and goal-line offense.

Q: Is Jaylen Waddle going to be available for the playoffs? – Great White Willie Shark 1976 on Dolphins Deep Dive

I think so. But it depends on a few things, mainly the nature of his left ankle injury. McDaniel said it’s a “high ankle” injury. He didn’t say it’s a high ankle sprain, which can be very tricky and sometimes last a few weeks. We’ll try to get McDaniel to be more specific.

There’s a chance Waddle doesn’t practice or play this week.

There’s also a chance Waddle practices on a limited basis and plays. There’s a chance Waddle is in uniform but is only available for emergencies such as Miami did with center Connor Williams (hamstring), right guard Rob Hunt (hamstring) and right tackle Austin Jackson (oblique).

Miami has been very cautious with how it brings back players from injury. The Dolphins learned a lesson when they brought Williams back before he was fully recovered. He ended up missing another three games.

Miami wants home-field advantage for the playoffs, and most likely it’ll need to win its final two games to get that privilege. But the main idea is having Waddle available for the playoffs. I’m thinking the postseason is what guides the thought process, not having him available for the Baltimore or Buffalo games, as they treat the injury and come up with a game plan for Waddle’s return.

Have a question?

Email David Furones, or tag @ChrisPerk or @DavidFurones_ on X (Twitter).