Knowshon Moreno Suffers Dislocated Elbow, Will Be Out At Least A Month

Knowshon Moreno started the season well against for the Miami Dolphins. He and his disclocated elbow will now take a break.

USA Today is reporting that Moreno suffered a dislocated elbow in the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills in week 2 of the 2014 NFL season. Moreno was falling to t0 the ground after a tackle, when a Bills defenseman came down from the other side, bending his elbow backwards, dislocating it. The Dolphins went on to lose the game, 29-10. Buffalo is now 2-0 on the season and in first place by themselves in the AFC East.

Though it is expected that Moreno would miss a month at least, the Dolphins also lost their other starting running back, Lamar Miller, to an apparent ankle injury. There is no prognosis as to the extent of Miller’s injury or how long Miller would be out.

Moreno entered the week as the league’s top rusher, with 134 yards against the New England Patriots in week one. Moreno was expected to provide durability and experience for the Dolphins backfield this year, but had to fight through knee problems throughout training camp just to land the starting running back position.

Moreno came to the Dolphins by way of a free agency signing. Moreno was drafted by the Denver Broncos in 2009 from the University of Georgia and played for the Broncos for 4 years. Last season was his best, rushing for 1,038 yards and notching another 548 in receiving to help the Broncos get to Super Bowl 48, where they were trounced 43-8 by the Seattle Seahawks.

The Phinsider is reporting the team has scheduled tests for Moreno’s elbow once the club returns to Miami. Once those tests, to include an MRI, are completed, the exact amount of damage done to the joint will determine when Moreno will be able to return. Moreno being sidelined a month is expected, though it could be longer.

Miami plays the Kansas City Chiefs in Miami in Week 3 before heading to London to face the Oakland Raiders in Week 4. After a Week 5 bye, the Dolphins will host the Green Bay Packers.

In the interim, the Dolphins have signed running back Daniel Thomas, whom the Dolphins drafted in 2011 in the second round from Kansas State. Thomas became expendable when Moreno was signed during the offseason. Thomas has run for 1,312 yards on 365 carries with eight touchdowns. He also has 42 receptions for three touchdowns. Thomas already knows the Miami offense and will be able to quickly fit into the game plan as the Dolphins prepare to face the Chiefs this weekend.

[Image courtesy of Black Sports Online]