Lex up next in Miami
The Miami Dolphins could look to Kalispell-native Lex Hilliard to carry them into the playoffs on Sunday.
The 25-year-old Flathead High graduate is in line to be the No. 1 running back in the regular-season finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers depending on the health of incumbent No. 1 back Ricky Williams.
Hilliard replaced Williams as the top back in last week’s game against Houston after Williams aggravated a right shoulder injury and was sidelined. Williams was limited in practice on Thursday and his status for Sunday remains uncertain.
The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported that Hilliard has been getting substantial reps in practice this week. Even if Williams ends up starting, it’s likely that Hilliard would be used more than he has been in any other game this season considering the strength of Pittsburgh’s defense.
“(The Steelers) come downhill hard and they definitely hit hard, but at the same time we consider ourselves a big physical group and we’re ready and up for the challenge,” Hilliard told reporters in Miami after practice on Wednesday. “I think their strength is defense as a whole. They play well together and we’re just going to have to play well together at the same time.”
Hilliard, a sixth-round draft pick in 2008, has climbed from the practice squad into the spotlight little by little this year — first as a surprise standout in the preseason and then as a consistent performer on special teams during the regular season. Season-ending injuries to two other running backs along with Williams’ nagging shoulder led to last Sunday’s opening for the former Montana Grizzly.
Hilliard stepped in against the playoff-hopeful Texans and scored two touchdowns and had 86 yards of total offense in the second half alone. The University of Montana rushing-record holder also proved his talent on the receiving end with a team-high nine catches, and had a long of 18 yards.
“I just felt like if the ball was thrown my way I gotta make a play on the ball and do what is expected of me, and that’s to compete and try to win. That’s what we pride ourselves on,” Hilliard said.
Last Sunday’s game ended up being a showcase of Montana talent. With Miami down 27-0, Hilliard and Helena native and former Griz kicker Dan Carpenter were the lone point scorers in the comeback attempt. Carpenter made both extra points after Hilliard’s touchdowns and also kicked two field goals (27 and 38 yards) in the 27-20 loss.
Despite dropping their last two games, the Dolphins (7-8) still have a shot at clinching a Wild Card playoff berth in the AFC. For that to happen, they must beat the defending Super Bowl champion Steelers (8-7) at Landshark Stadium in Miami and then need Baltimore, Houston, Jacksonville and the N.Y. Jets to all lose.
“We look at it like we’re still a playoff team,” Hilliard said. “If you came out to practice today, you’d see everybody is rearing to go and ready to get a win this week and see what happens next week. It doesn’t really take much for this group to get ready to go. We want to win ... Nobody wants to finish the season on a loss.”
Sunday could also be Hilliard’s chance to audition for a more-involved role heading into the future.
With an aging Williams, 32, catching the injury bug more often, Hilliard could be seen as a possible everyday component in Miami’s future.
The Dolphins’ top running back midway through the season was Ronnie Brown before a foot injury ended his season. Brown is a free agent. Third-string back Patrick Cobbs, 26, went down with a torn knee ligament soon after, which left Hilliard and Williams as the top two backs. The team also has Lousaka Polite as a solid fullback.
“You gotta make great strides every week to get better and to show that you still can get better,” Hilliard said of what his responsibility is moving forward.