Dolphins place Elijah Campbell on IR, elevate two defensive backs for Panthers game

The Miami Dolphins have called up two young defensive backs from the practice squad ahead of Sunday’s home game against the Carolina Panthers to address injuries that could water down the special teams unit.

Cornerback Elijah Campbell was placed on injured reserve Saturday because of knee and toe injuries.

Jamal Perry and Brennan Scarlett, two key special teams contributors, were placed on injured reserve earlier this week due to knee injuries they suffered in last week’s 24-17 win over the New York Jets.

Campbell and Perry were both primary gunners, responsible for running down the field on special teams to tackle punt returners.

Players placed on injured reserve must miss at least three games, but are eligible to return to the 53-man roster if they can recover before the season is over.

It doesn’t help that rookie cornerback Trill Williams suffered a hamstring injury during practice this week and has been ruled out of Sunday’s game, and that safeties Jevon Holland (knee/ankle), Brandon Jones (ankle/elbow) and Eric Rowe (hip) are all nursing injuries that could limit them.

To address the rash of injures, the Dolphins elevated cornerback Javaris Davis and safety Sheldrick Redwine from the practice squad for Sunday’s game.

Davis, a former Auburn standout, has spent the entire 2020 and 2011 seasons on Miami’s practice squad. If he’s active against Carolina, it will be his first NFL regular-season game.

Redwine, a former University of Miami standout, joined the Dolphins a month ago, but hasn’t played in a game for the Dolphins. The 2019 Cleveland Browns’ fourth-round pick has played in 29 games with eight starts, and has contributed 60 tackles, one interception and three pass deflections in his career.