AFC East Notes: Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Dolphins

Dolphins RB Mark Walton joined the team after an unceremonious exit from the Bengals who drafted him in the fourth round in 2018, but released him after a series of run-ins with law enforcement. Walton started at the bottom of Miami’s depth chart but has continued to progress and led the team Sunday with 75 yards on 11 touches. 

“He’s really done a good job. He’s a guy who does a lot. [Walton can] play in the kicking game, he’s good out of the backfield catching the football, he’s a good runner inside and outside,” Dolphins HC Brian Flores said via ESPN’s Cameron Wolfe. “He’s got a really good skill set — a three-down skill set. He made some plays last week. He really did. If he continues to do that and he’s productive, then we’ll leave him in there. We’ve got some other backs who have been productive as well. I like them all.”

• The Miami Dolphins officially ruled out S Reshad Jones (chest), C Daniel Kilgore (knee), and DE Avery Moss (ankle) and have WR Jakeem Grant (hamstring) and CB Xavien Howard (knee) as questionable.

Jets

Jets QB Sam Darnold provided a huge lift once he returned healthy to the team last week, powering the previously winless Jets to an upset win against the Cowboys. Darnold says the Jets still have room to grow once TE Chris Herndon returns and they have the potential to surprise even more. 

“Right now, we’re just missing Chris. Once all the guys are back together, I think we’re unstoppable as an offense — or we can be,” Darnold said via ESPN’s Rich Cimini. “It’s just up to us and how we execute. It’s really up to us how many points we score, I think. I think we’re capable of so many points. With our offensive line, too, the way they played last game, with the way we’ve been running the ball and the way they’ve been protecting, sky’s the limit for us.”

Patriots

• ESPN’s Mike Reiss writes that Patriots DE Michael Bennett might be the team’s best trade chip, as he can still be a productive interior pass rusher even though his role in New England has been smaller than expected. 
• New England would free up $2 million in cap space by dealing Bennett.
• However, Bennett was just suspended a game for conduct detrimental to the team, which could influence how much another team would give up for him.