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Dolphins: Vince Biegel injury means Curtis Weaver must step up

By Timothy Rodriguez

TALLAHASSEE, FL - AUGUST 31: Defensive End Curtis Weaver #99 of the Boise State Broncos is being blocked by Tackle Jauan Williams #73 of the Florida State Seminoles during the game at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on August 31, 2019 in Tallahassee, Florida. Boise State defeated Florida State 36 to 31. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL - AUGUST 31: Defensive End Curtis Weaver #99 of the Boise State Broncos is being blocked by Tackle Jauan Williams #73 of the Florida State Seminoles during the game at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on August 31, 2019 in Tallahassee, Florida. Boise State defeated Florida State 36 to 31. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /
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The door has opened for Curtis Weaver to contribute for the Dolphins

Less than a week into padded practices, injuries have been one of the biggest headlines in the NFL. From Gerald McCoy in Dallas to Trae Waynes with the Bengals, the football Gods have not been kind. However, while injuries are disheartening, young players are given opportunities to shine because of them. One of those rookies is Miami Dolphins edge rusher, Curtis Weaver.

With pass rusher Vince Biegel going down with a torn Achilles’ tendon, there are more snaps to go around on the edge. The Dolphins are going to be a team that rotates rushers and is very multiple in what they do up front.

Miami picked Weaver in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Many believe that he slipped farther than anticipated. There was some speculation that he had “character issues” coming out, but by all accounts, he is a great guy who brings a lot of energy to a team. He won the 2019 Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year and was extremely productive in college.

Where is the opportunity to play?

Biegel was primarily a stand-up edge rusher in 2019, and that is where Weaver played a good portion of his snaps at Boise State. Weaver is a very experienced pass rusher and run defender. He was already going to get some snaps in a limited role. Now, he has the opportunity to be in direct competition with Andrew Van Ginkel to be a third pass rusher after Kyle Van Noy and Shaq Lawson.

Next. Cowboys: Neville Gallimore must step up in wake of McCoy injury. dark

The Dolphins made an effort to add depth to the trenches in both free agency and the 2020 NFL draft. Weaver still has a lot of bodies to compete with, especially since Brian Flores and defensive coordinator Josh Boyer are not afraid to move players around and put them in different spots. If Weaver can put some tools on display in training camp, he has a great opportunity to see playing time early and often.

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