There was a big name missing at Dolphins practice Wednesday:
Xavien Howard, who has been their best player in 2018.
Howard’s reason for absence will be revealed by Dolphins coach Adam Gase when he meets with reporters, but he did leave the Bills game briefly with an unspecified injury. He returned after missing just one snap and finished the game.
The Dolphins cannot afford to miss Howard Sunday against Tom Brady and the Patriots. He has four interceptions in the last two games and was named the AFC’s Defensive Player of the Week on Wednesday.