Back-up C Joe Berger anchors patchwork Dolphins’ O-line against Bills’ 31st-ranked run D

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – With center Jake Grove sidelined by an ankle injury, back-up Joe Berger will make his first NFL start in five seasons when the Dolphins look to keep their playoff hopes alive at Buffalo. On Berger’s left, Nate Garner will make his third consecutive start at guard in place of Justin Smiley (shoulder). Smiley is active for the game, but last week at Carolina he played because of a injuries. For the first time this season, rookie offensive tackle Andrew Gardner is active. Offensive lineman Andrew Hartline, promoted from the practice squad last week, also is active. The good news for Miami is Buffalo’s run defense is ranked 31st in the NFL. A day after he was promoted from the practice squad, rookie DE Ryan Baker will be active for his first NFL game, too. Rookie wide receiver Pat Turner joins Grove on the inactive list. Turner was active the past two games, but only played special teams. Running back Kory Sheets also is inactive, leaving Miami with just two active

running backs – Ricky Williams and Lex Hilliard. Sheets was active against the Panthers following Ronnie Brown’s season-ending foot injury. The other Dolphins inactives include QB Tyler Thigpen, LB Erik Walden, who missed the past two games with a hamstring injury, DE Lionel Dotson, who is out with an ankle injury, offensive tackle Lydon Murtha and defensive end Ikaika Alama-Francis. Meanwhile, the Bills are as banged up as any team in the league, with 14 players on injured reserve, compared with six for the Dolphins. The area most impacted might be the O-line. The Bills right guard will be Kendall Simmons, who was signed this past week. He’ll replace Kirk Chambers, who has moved to right tackle so Jonathan Scott can move to left tackle to Demetrius Bell, who is injured. The Dolphins had six sacks in 38-10 win against the Bills on Oct. 4 when Scott and Chambers were at tackle because of injuries.

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Back-up C Joe Berger anchors patchwork Dolphins’ O-line against Bills’ 31st-ranked run D

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