Miami Dolphins lose multiple starters to injury in first half against Atlanta Falcons

The Miami Dolphins lost their starting running back on their first possession against the Atlanta Falcons, then lost their top linebacker later in the first quarter Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium.

Malcolm Brown went down with a quadriceps injury on one of the first plays of the game, then Jerome Baker exited with a knee injury with one minute left in the quarter. The Dolphins initially said both were questionable to return and eventually ruled both out at the start of the second half.

Brown made his third start of the season and got the first three carries Sunday before heading to the sideline. He ran for 10 yards on his three carries before fellow running back Myles Gaskin took over.

Baker’s injury happened on Miami’s second defensive series. The linebacker went down after a 13-yard run by Cordarrelle Patterson and was eventually able to walk to the sideline under his own power. He went into the medical tent to be checked, then headed back to the Dolphins’ locker room in Miami Gardens for further evaluation. Fellow linebacker Sam Eguavoen replaced Baker in the lineup after he exited.

Baker, who has started 44 of 55 games since the Dolphins took him in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft, had one tackle before leaving.

In the second quarter, rookie wide receiver Jaylen Waddle also briefly exited with an apparent right ankle injury, but he was able to quickly return to the game for Miami’s next possession after getting examined in the medical tent. Linebacker Elandon Roberts also missed a few plays with an injury early in the second half, but was able to return for the next series.