Kicker Zane Gonzalez Is On His THIRD AND FINAL Elevation: Why The 1-6 Dolphins Need Him Now

The Miami Dolphins, sitting at a brutal 1-6, are shaking things up big time before their Sunday clash with the 5-2 Detroit Lions at Hard Rock Stadium, bringing up two guys from the practice squad. This isn’t just a minor tweak, though. For one player, it’s a make-or-break moment that could define their season’s kicking game.

Zane Gonzalez’s Last Stand

Look, the Dolphins are desperate for a spark, and it seems they’re hoping veteran kicker Zane Gonzalez can provide it. The 31-year-old rejoined Miami’s practice squad just last month after spending the offseason with the team. He’s already been elevated twice, hitting two of three field goals and a perfect five for five on extra points. Not too shabby, right? But here’s the kicker, pun intended: this Sunday marks Gonzalez’s third and *final* elevation from the practice squad. If the Dolphins want him to keep booting balls for them past Week 9, they have to sign him to the 53-man roster. Talk about pressure, especially for a team reeling at 1-6. Every point is going to count against those tough 5-2 Lions.

Carlos Washington Jr. Gets Another Shot

It’s not just Gonzalez getting the call-up. Running back Carlos Washington Jr., 27, is also back on the active roster. Washington first landed in Miami back in May but couldn’t snag a spot out of training camp. He actually had a short stint on the 53-man roster last month, but it only lasted a few days before he was waived and sent back to the practice squad. This is his second elevation, so he’s still got some runway left before hitting the same “final elevation” wall as Gonzalez. But hey, getting another crack at the active roster in Week 9 against a solid Lions team? That’s a chance Washington has to seize.

The elevation of these two players gives the Dolphins a 55-man pool to pick from for their game-day roster against the Lions. This game marks their first meeting since the 2022 season. With Gonzalez facing a crucial decision point for his future with the team and Washington looking to prove he belongs, all eyes will be on these practice squad heroes. Can they make an impact and help the 1-6 Dolphins pull off an upset? Sunday’s the day we find out.

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Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.