Miami Dolphins running backs strong through camp

The Miami Dolphins have a strong running back group that was more visible after Jay Ajayi was injured and missed time.

Entering the 2017 training camp sessions, Jay Ajayi was the Miami Dolphins running back unit. His three 200 yard games in 2016 were impressive and his growth as a leader has been unquestioned. Then Ajayi suffered an early concussion and fans started to wonder if the unit was going to be good without him.

Ajayi returned to practice today and was running hard but his absence opened the window for a couple of others to shine. Kenyan Drake ran hard in the Dolphins pre-season opener but it was Storm Johnson who really looked a player that at one point was on the outside looking in and now might just make the final 53.

Drake was injured in today’s practice but the extent of which isn’t known. He was seen walking off the field with his head down. It’s neither an indication of a serious injury or potentially just cramps. But the door opens a little wider for some of the roster depth to shine.

Again that name seems to be Storm Johnson and what a name for a South Florida running back.

It is going to bear watching as camp unfolds to see whether the Dolphins keep three or four runners on the roster. Damien Williams has been the teams go to third down back but that could change and if Johnson continues to perform well, it may put Williams on that edge. It is hard to imagine the Dolphins parting ways with Williams and an educated guess would say the Dolphins carry four into the season. Johnons, Ajayi, Williams, and Drake.

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The guys on the outside now are Senorise Perry and De’Veon Smith. Smith has seen his name mentioned in good ways through camp thus far too so it could get interesting as everything continues to unfold. With three weeks remaining in the pre-season there is still a lot of time for players to step up.

Now that Ajayi is healthy and we await the results of Kenyan Drake’s injury/situation, we at least know that as far as the depth is concerned, there is not as much to worry about at this position as there is with some of the others.