Rookie first-round pick Charles Harris will make his second NFL start Sunday when the Dolphins face the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.
Harris will start at right defensive end in place of veteran Andre Branch, who will miss the game because of a knee injury.
Harris also started in the Thursday night game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Branch was listed as questionable on the final injury report of the week.
Derby time: Tight end A.J. Derby will be active for the first time since joining the Dolphins when they face the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. Derby, who was claimed off waivers from the Denver Broncos on Nov. 29, was inactive for the games against Denver and New England. He will be one of four tight ends in uniform, along with DeVante Parker, Anthony Fasano and MarQueis Gray.
Howard, Phillips in lineup: Cornerback Xavien Howard and Jordan Phillips both will be active after being listed as questionable on the final injury report of the week.
Tankersley out: Rookie cornerback Cordrea Tankersley will be inactive for a second consecutive game because of the ankle/shoulder injuries he sustained in the 35-9 victory against the Denver Broncos on Dec. 3. Tankersley was listed as doubtful on the final injury report of the week. Third-year player Bobby McCain again will start at cornerback in place of Tankersley.
Lineup notes: Quarterback David Fales will serve as the backup for the fifth time this season, with Matt Moore sitting out a third consecutive game because of a foot injury. … Defensive end Cameron Malveaux will be back in the lineup after being inactive against New England on Monday night.
Staying behind: The list of Dolphins inactives includes safety Michael Thomas (knee) and running back Damien Williams (shoulder), neither of whom made the trip to Buffalo after being downgraded from doubtful to out Saturday.
Inactive info: Along with Moore, Williams, Branch, Tankersley and Thomas, the Dolphins inactives will be guards Isaac Asiata and Jermon Bushrod. Bushrod will miss his fourth consecutive game because of a foot injury sustained in the Nov. 19 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Opponent info: The list of New Buffalo inactives consists of QB Nathan Peterman, FB Mike Tolbert, CB Breon Borders, T Conor McDermott, G John Miller, TE Khari Lee and WR Brandon Reilly.
