Dolphins All-Pro Cornerback Leaves Thursday Night Football With Groin Injury

The Miami Dolphins may be without one of their elite cover corners for a while. Cornerback Xavien Howard left the team's Thursday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals with a groin injury in the second half. He was declared questionable to return.

Injury Update | Xavien Howard has a groin injury and is questionable to return.
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) September 30, 2022

Howard left the game during the second half and was later spotted with a large wrap around his upper leg. He had struggled somewhat through the first three weeks of the regular season, permitting a 110.2 passer rating on passes thrown in his direction. He also allowed a 59-yard touchdown to Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins tonight before exiting.

Howard has been one of the league's premier cornerbacks since joining the Dolphins as their 38th overall pick in 2016. He has been dominant when healthy, leading the league in interceptions twice and notching three Pro Bowls in the four seasons he has played 12 or more games. Should he be unavailable going forward, the Dolphins will need cornerback Byron Jones to hit the ground running following his stint on injured reserve ending this week.