The Miami Dolphins have ruled out cornerback Kelvin Joseph for their Week 2 matchup against the New England Patriots. Joseph is dealing with personal/family reasons and will not travel with the team to New England.


Joseph was acquired by the Dolphins in a trade with the Arizona Cardinals on August 3, 2023. He was expected to compete for a starting job in Miami's secondary, but his absence in Week 2 will leave the Dolphins a little thinner at cornerback.

Joseph played sparingly in Week 1, appearing only on special teams. He is expected to be evaluated on a week-to-week basis, and it is unclear when he will return to the team.


Kelvin Joseph

Impact of Joseph's Absence


Joseph's absence is not expected to have a major impact on Miami's defense in Week 2. The Dolphins have a number of other talented cornerbacks on their roster, including Xavien Howard, Byron Jones, and Nik Needham.


However, Joseph's absence does leave the Dolphins a little less depth at cornerback. If one of Miami's other starting cornerbacks goes down with an injury, the Dolphins will have to rely on one of their younger, less experienced cornerbacks to step up.

Joseph's Potential


Joseph has the potential to be a valuable asset to the Dolphins' defense. He is a talented young cornerback with a lot of upside.


In his rookie season with the Cardinals in 2021, Joseph appeared in 13 games and recorded 52 tackles, two interceptions, and five pass deflections. He also forced a fumble and recovered one.


Joseph showed flashes of brilliance in his rookie season, but he was also inconsistent at times. He struggled in coverage at times and was prone to giving up big plays.


However, the Dolphins are hoping that Joseph can take a step forward in his second season. He has been working hard all offseason and is determined to prove himself as a starting cornerback in the NFL.

What's Next for Joseph?


It is unclear when Joseph will return to the Dolphins. He is expected to be evaluated on a week-to-week basis.


In the meantime, the Dolphins will have to rely on their other cornerbacks to step up. Xavien Howard and Byron Jones are two of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, and Nik Needham is a solid backup.


However, if one of the Dolphins' starting cornerbacks goes down with an injury, the Dolphins will have to rely on one of their younger, less experienced cornerbacks to step up.


The Dolphins are also hoping that Joseph can return to the team as soon as possible. He has the potential to be a valuable asset to the Dolphins' defense, and they are counting on him to help them make a deep run in the playoffs.

Analysis


The Dolphins' decision to trade for Joseph in the offseason was a risky one. Joseph is a talented young cornerback with a lot of upside, but he is also a bit of a wild card.


Joseph struggled in coverage at times in his rookie season, and he was prone to giving up big plays. However, the Dolphins are hoping that he can take a step forward in his second season.


Joseph's absence in Week 2 is not a major blow to the Dolphins, but it does leave them a little thinner at cornerback. If one of Miami's other starting cornerbacks goes down with an injury, the Dolphins will have to rely on one of their younger, less experienced cornerbacks to step up.


Overall, the Dolphins are hoping that Joseph can return to the team as soon as possible. He has the potential to be a valuable asset to the Dolphins' defense, and they are counting on him to help them make a deep run in the playoffs.

Fantasy Impact


Joseph's absence in Week 2 does not have a major impact on any fantasy players. He was expected to be a backup cornerback in Miami, and he played sparingly in Week 1.


However, if Joseph returns to the team in the coming weeks and becomes a starter, he could be a valuable fantasy addition. He is a talented young cornerback with a lot of upside.

Conclusion


The Dolphins' decision to rule out Joseph for Week 2 is not a major surprise. He has been dealing with personal/family reasons, and it is unclear when he will return to the team.


Joseph's absence does leave the Dolphins a little thinner at cornerback, but they still have a number of other talented cornerbacks on their roster. Xavien Howard and Byron Jones are two of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, and Nik Needham is a solid backup.