Vincent Taylor could be in line for more playing time now that the Dolphins are down to three pure defensive tackles, and he made sure to prepare for it.
Taylor said he joined fellow defensive tackle Davon Godchaux in doing extra cardio work after practice Friday. Those two, along with veteran Akeem Spence, figure to share most of the snaps at defensive tackle against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
The Dolphins were down to three defensive tackle in the game against Oakland on Sept. 23 after Spence was ejected in the first half, and Taylor responded with a season-high seven tackles and his first sack of the season.
"I got more snaps in the Oakland game and I saw my production, but the Oakland game is over, that passed, now I'm looking forward to the Bengals game and getting more snaps," Taylor said. "I know what I'm capable of doing, so I know I'm just going to go out there and have fun and make plays every chance I get.
"We've got a good game plan if our D-tackles need a break, we know what we've got to do. We did the three-man rotation for the Oakland game, so we're familiar with it. Now that we know it's a three-man rotation, we've got our minds set on it and we're ready for it."
Parker's progress: Wide receiver DeVante Parker was listed as questionable after being limited in practice all week, and Head Coach Adam Gase had a conversation with him toward the beginning of practice Friday. "I just want to make sure he doesn't get frustrated," Gase said. "This is a long season. We're at that point where everybody is banged up. The team we're playing right now, they had a lot of injuries last week. You're trying to find bodies to make sure that you can fill out that active roster. And I just don't want him getting too low thinking, is this going to stop happening? I mean, this is football. That's what happens. You've just got to keep taking care of your body, get as healthy as you can because you're never going to be 100 percent and when you can go, be ready to go." Parker missed the game against New England last Sunday because of a quadriceps injury after making his 2018 regular season debut the previous week against Oakland.
Fan of Falk: Quarterback Luke Falk was ruled out of the game against Cincinnati because of a wrist injury, but Gase said Friday he's liked what from the rookie since he was claimed off waivers from the Tennessee Titans after the roster cuts of Sept. 1. Gase said he'd like to be able to work with Falk beyond this season. "Yeah, I'd love the opportunity to get him in the spring, especially, and then start from there," Gase said. "He's going to have a head start because he's got a year to really get that under his belt. … His footwork is really good for somebody that hasn't really done it (working under center) before. I like his anticipation. When I watch him throw, I really like how the ball comes out of his hand. And he's a very confident kid. He's smart. He's been a fun guy to be around. That (quarterback) room has been really good. That room has been really tight."
Cincy reminiscing: Defensive coordinator Matt Burke will be returning to Paul Brown Stadium to face the team for which he worked in 2014-15 before he joined the Dolphins coaching staff. Though Burke was part of the Dolphins staff when they played at Cincinnati in 2016, this will be his first game against the Bengals as a defensive coordinator and he was asked this week to reflect on his time in Cincinnati. "We had two good seasons," Burke said. "We made the playoffs both years. We had good teams, good defenses. At the time, (Marvin Lewis) had been 12 to 13 years in the league as a head coach, so it was good to learn from him and see how he operated. It was good to be around. … It's a unique place. It's kind of a family-run business and how they operate. I learned a lot from Marvin, I learned a lot from that organization, I learned a lot of football there. We had two good seasons and unfortunately, both ended in playoff disappointment. But I enjoyed my time there. I grew as a football coach and learned a lot of ball."
Georgia state of mind: Safety Reshad Jones is hoping to return to the lineup Sunday after missing the past two games because of a shoulder injury, and another incentive would be trying to get bragging rights with a whole bunch of former University of Georgia teammates. The Bengals roster features five players who played with Jones on Georgia's 2009 team — wide receiver A.J. Green, guard Clint Boling, tackle Cordy Glenn, defensive tackle Geno Atkins, and safety Shawn Williams. "Yes, we got a lot of 'Dogs," Jones said. "The Bengals have a lot of 'Dogs. It will be fun to go up and play against these guys. I talk to a couple of them every now and then. Me and A.J. are close. Geno is a good friend. I haven't spoken to Shawn in a minute, but we're all cool. It's a family. We're Bulldogs."
Ohio homecoming: Like fellow linebacker Raekwon McMillan, Jerome Baker will return this weekend to Ohio, where he starred at Ohio State. But it's even more of a homecoming for Baker because he grew up in Cleveland, whereas McMillan is from Georgia. Baker said he was getting more and more ticket requests every day this week. "It's going to be a good experience to see my family, my friends," he said. "I'm excited. It's going to be fun."
Fan of Falk: Quarterback Luke Falk was placed on injured reserve Friday because of a wrist injury, but Gase has liked what he's seen from the rookie since he was claimed off waivers from the Tennessee Titans after the roster cuts of Sept. 1. Gase said he'd like to be able to work with Falk beyond this season. "Yeah, I'd love the opportunity to get him in the spring, especially, and then start from there," Gase said. "He's going to have a head start because he's got a year to really get that under his belt. … His footwork is really good for somebody that hasn't really done it (working under center) before. I like his anticipation. When I watch him throw, I really like how the ball comes out of his hand. And he's a very confident kid. He's smart. He's been a fun guy to be around. That (quarterback) room has been really good. That room has been really tight."
O'Leary promoted: To fill the roster spot created by Falk going on IR, the Dolphins promoted former Buffalo Bills draft pick Nick O'Leary from the practice squad. That gives the Dolphins three tight ends on the 53-man roster, along with rookies Mike Gesicki and Durham Smythe.
