Dolphins’ Flores addresses Fuller, Lindsay, offensive line, more

Dolphins receiver Will Fuller and running back Malcolm Brown won’t participate in the team’s light walk-through practice on Wednesday, suggesting their return is not imminent.

Fuller has missed nine games with broken bones in a finger; Flores has declined to say if he will play again this season.

Brown has missed six games with a quadriceps injury. Flores has suggested he’s moving closer to a return.

Both Fuller and Brown are eligible to return from injured reserve.

Running back Phillip Lindsay, who missed Sunday’s game with an ankle injury, will participate in the walk-through, Flores said.

PRACTICE UPDATE: Center Michael Deiter - who missed nine games with a foot injury before returning to play on Sunday - was in a walking boot at Wednesday’s walk-through. Defensive tackle John Jenkins wasn’t present.

The Dolphins are off Sunday and next play at home Dec. 19 against the Jets.

Flores addressed other issues in his Wednesday news conference:

▪ Is he pleased with the offensive line’s development? The group has been better recently.

“The guys are working hard; they’re making improvements as unit, individually and as a unit,” he said. “They’re going to try to get better on a daily basis. It’s a young group and getting a lot experience. They’re improving in all areas, pass protection, run blocking, getting off on screens.”

Has the decision to move Robert Hunt from right tackle to right guard been validated? Flores declined to say, instead noting that “Rob works hard every day, tries to help the team as best he can.”

▪ Flores remains pleased with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa: “He’s preparing the right way, getting a good amount of reps in practice, watching extra film and it’s showed up.”

▪ The Dolphins will use the bye week to assess areas where they can improve as opposed to preparing for a particular opponent.

They will evaluate their own tendencies. “There are a lot of good coaches in this league. Whatever you do, there’s something to beat it,” Flores said.

▪ Flores said the running game, which is averaging 3.3 yards per carry, is “something that needs improvement. We’ll keep putting an emphasis on it and keep running it.”

▪ The Dolphins will be off Thursday through Sunday. He said he will “spend the weekend with my family.”

He will tell his players to “take some time, relax, get off your feet, get some rest, get away from it. You need balance.”