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Have injuries slowed Dolphins QB Malik Willis this season?
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- Have injuries slowed Dolphins QB Malik Willis this season?
MIAMI GARDENS — Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis, known for his fleet feet and the threat that it poses for defenses, bypassed some running opportunities in Miami's 24-19 loss to New England last week.
"That's something we're working on, we're training on, and I know Malik's training on," offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said. "But yeah, we had some (opportunities) last week that we kind of left out there. We know that and we're working towards making sure we take advantage of those."
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Still, there's no assurance that the same thing won't happen this week when the Dolphins (1-6) host Detroit (5-2) at Hard Rock Stadium.
It raises the question of whether injuries have been a factor in Willis' season performance.
Willis is on the injury report with a groin injury for the second straight week. But he's been a full participant in practice every day. Earlier this season, Willis was on the injury report for a toe injury and later a right thumb injury.
Willis said the groin injury wasn't a factor in his performance against the Patriots or his decisions not to run when it appeared there were opportunities.
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"I think that's just how the game played out," Willis said. "I'm not sure that (groin ailment) had anything to do with it really."
Willis is the NFL's second-leading rusher among quarterbacks with 225 yards, not far behind Buffalo's Josh Allen (270 yards). Allen averages 4.9 yards per carry and has 55 rushing attempts; Willis averages 6.3 yards per carry and has 36 attempts.
Slowik said Willis (six touchdowns, five interceptions, 79.7 passer rating) might have been a bit confused by New England's defensive style and their stunts.
"I think last week it was a little easier to see some of them on film than I think it was live in the moment of the game," Slowik said. "The one thing I think that they do a really good job of is they mix up the rushes. They're a really good game team. They mix up how they game, where they game, and where the open windows are for you in the pass game."
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Willis rushed for a season-best 74 yards on eight attempts against Cincinnati.
He rushed for 56 yards on nine attempts against Kansas City.
But Willis didn't seem to have any called running plays last week against New England, which might be an indication that coaches knew his groin was a concern to some degree.
For what it's worth, Willis said he's not feeling the effects of being a starting NFL quarterback for half a season.
Asked whether the accumulation of hits has taken a toll on him, Willis responded confidently.
"I feel good," he said.
Still, he's missed opportunities to run, which doesn't seem fitting for a quarterback with such accomplished running skills.
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Hafley admitted Willis might have had more chances to run last week, but he also added it's easy to say that in hindsight.
"When you watch the film, just like I'm sure you did or just like Bobby did, you're always going to see opportunities that are there that you either took or maybe you missed," Hafley said. "I could sit down with Malik and I could watch the film with Malik and I could say, 'Hey, man, you see this? You could take off there.' The question is, did he see it in the moment?"
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Hafley said these are all good teaching moments.
"The more he plays, the more he'll feel them and the more he'll see them," Hafley said, adding "There's plenty of times when he has seen them and he has taken off. And he'll continue to do so."
