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D AVIE, Fla. - The Miami Dolphins [ team stats ] claimed Steve Slaton because they knew he was once a playmaker in the NFL, but this regime hasn’t identified a role for the tailback the Houston Texans [ team stats ] dumped earlier this week.
Dolphins coach Tony Sparano joked he’s only seen Slaton for two hours on Thursday, referring to Slaton’s first practice with the team. Sparano said the team would use its upcoming bye week to evaluate how Slaton fits in.
"I see a young player that has good upside and I think that’s a good quality to have here at that position," Sparano said.
Either the Dolphins got lucky or had tremendous foresight in adding Slaton because tailback Daniel Thomas, who is leading the team with 202 rushing yards, had his practice participation limited on Thursday because the hamstring injury he’s been nursing for three weeks flared up.
Slaton said he prides himself "on making plays," and despite going through some injury woes during his four-year NFL career, he claims he’s feeling as good as he has in a long time.
"Since my rookie year," Slaton said. "I feel about the same."
Slaton ran for 1,282 yards and nine touchdowns in his rookie season of 2008 with the Texans. But after two underwhelming seasons, and a quiet beginning to this season, the Texans released Slaton on Tuesday.
Slaton joins a backfield that includes Thomas and Reggie Bush, who has struggled in the early season. Slaton also returned kicks for the Texans in 2010, averaging nearly 20 yards per return.
Vontae Davis, who missed Sunday’s 17-16 loss to the Browns because of a hamstring injury, continued to practice on a limited basis.
"Working back is a process," Davis said. "It’s real tough. You’re a competitor. You want to play. I like competing. I’m trying to do everything in my power to help."
The Dolphins could use Davis this Sunday because if he’s not healthy enough to play, Nolan Carroll, his replacement, will be lining up against Pro Bowler Vincent Jackson or Malcolm Floyd trying to cover Philip Rivers’ big-play targets.
Jackson has caught 17 passes for 266 yards and two touchdowns. Floyd has only caught seven passes, but he’s averaging 18.9 yards per catch.
Defensive coordinator Mike Nolan said the Dolphins are playing a lot more zone coverage because of the weekly matchups, but also because of the injuries he’s got to mask, and insinuated that Davis is one of the key components missing.
Outside linebacker Koa Misi also had his participation limited because of a neck injury. ...
(c)2011 the Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) Distributed by MCT Information Services
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