Poyer is the only Dolphin ruled out for Week 5, though they have more than their fair share of players on injured reserve and the PUP list. Poyer had 19 combined tackles through three games and was playing nearly every defensive snap for Miami before suffering the shin injury in Week 5. Though his loss will hurt the Dolphins’ secondary, the Patriots aren’t the team you’d expect to take advantage of such a weakness.

Poyer went down with the shin injury on Monday versus the Titans and did not return. He has started all four games for Miami this year and has 19 combined tackles. The Dolphins are already banged up on defense and can hardly afford to lose another starter heading into Week 5.

Poyer did not have a recorded tackle before leaving. The 33-year-old safety had 19 tackles in his first three starts with the Dolphins. Miami will use more Marcus Maye with Poyer out.

Cut by the Bills six days ago, Poyer is now headed (far) south to link up with division-rival Miami. One month shy of his 33rd birthday, Poyer had spent the past seven years in Buffalo, turning in a sustained stretch of plus play, albeit one occasionally interrupted by minor injury. Despite his advancing age, Poyer’s release was all about the cap and not his play. He’s a fall-off risk any given season now because of those advancing years, but he forms a strong on-paper tandem with Jevon Holland.