Dolphins LB Dannell Ellerbe suffered a hip injury in Sunday's opener that will keep him out the rest of the season.  Miami placed him on IR on Monday.  MLB starter Koa Misi also aggravated an ankle sprain in Sunday's game and was in a walking boot afterward.  The team doesn't yet know how long he'll be out.  And the other OLB starter, Philip Wheeler, missed Sunday's game with a thumb injury.  Jason Trusnick started in Wheeler's place and moved to the middle when Misi left.  Jelani Jenkins joined him after Ellerbe's injury, with Johnathan Freeny coming in for limited snaps.  The team signed Kelvin Sheppard on Monday.  Don't chase any of them in your IDP league.  We'll keep an eye on Jenkins, though, to see if he can capitalize on the opportunity.

The Dolphins have cleared up their LB situation for at least a week by ruling strong-side LB Philip Wheeler out for the opener against New England.  Wheeler has been dealing with a thumb injury for 2 weeks.  Miami figures to start Jason Trusnick in his place, but Koa Misi could regain passing-down duties -- which he lost to Wheeler this preseason.  We're still not much interested in any of them for IDP purposes.  If you need 1, go for Ellerbe first.

Dolphins MLB Dannell Ellerbe (shoulder) is inactive against the Bills today.  The team's expected to start Jason Trusnick in his place.  The situation should add tackle upside to weak-side starter Phillip Wheeler, though.  Rookie Jelani Jenkins could also see playing time.

The Dolphins have spent big on another free-agent LB. Former Raiders OLB Philip Wheeler agreed to a reported 5-year, $26 million deal with the team. He follows new MLB Dannell Ellerbe. Just as Ellerbe's arrival marked the end of MLB Karlos Dansby's term, Wheeler could do the same for WLB Kevin Burnett. Dansby and Burnett each played more than 1,000 snaps last season, compared with SLB Koa Misi's 559. Misi did miss 2 games, but the other 2 starters still clearly dominated him in playing time. The Dolphins didn't throw big money at Wheeler to make him a 2-down player. Wheeler is coming off a tremendous season in his 1st shot at starting full time. Pro Football Focus rated him the 6th-best 4-3 OLB in the league, #5 in coverage and 2nd only to Von Miller (not a fair comparison) in pass rushing. Wheeler played the strong side in Oakland and Indy, but he makes plenty of sense as the weak man for the Dolphins. He should remain a starting-caliber LB in 2013 fantasy football leagues.

Colts OLB Philip Wheeler is inactive tonight against the Texans. He was listed as questionable but never seemed likely to play. Wheeler hasn't practiced since suffering a foot injury in Week 14 and missed last Sunday's win over the Titans. Ernie Sims should get a 2nd straight start in his place. Sims collected 15 tackles (8 solo) against Tennessee in Week 15.

Colts OLB Philip Wheeler has been ruled out for Sunday's meeting with the Titans because of a foot injury suffered near the end of last week's game.