Erik Ezukanma (“Eazy-E”, to Dolfans), was a breakout star during the 2022 preseason. Now, more than a year later, Dolphins fans are beginning to wonder, where is Erik Ezukanma?
Dolphins, Where is Erik Ezukanma?
After last season, Coach Mike McDaniel expressed that Ezukanma was making strides in learning the wide receiver position at the NFL level. Wide receivers coach, Wes Welker, also echoed similar sentiments. At the end of last season, Ezukanma stated that he was experiencing a new learning process at the NFL level. The experience was different than what he was accustomed to at Texas Tech. All of these statements were made before the 2023 preseason. If Ezukanma had some growing pains, he surely had adjusted to them in a year…right?
Ezukanma’s Stats…So Far
Ezukanma did see action in one regular season game in 2022. In that game, he had one reception for three yards. During the 2023 regular season, Ezukanma was targeted once but did not make the catch. He did, however, have five carries for 22 yards in two games earlier this season. It seemed Ezukanma had made so much progress that he would likely be seeing a lot more playing time this season.
Non-Football Injury (NFI) List
At the end of September, Ezukanma was placed on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list. He had sustained an injury to his neck while at Texas Tech and had re-aggravated it earlier this season. Ezukanma being placed on the non-football injury list differs from his being placed on injured reserve (IR) or the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
NFI Explained
The rule states a player on the NFI list may not practice or participate in a game for four weeks. The rule also states a player on the NFI cannot be added to the active roster until week eight. Once the player begins practicing with the team after week eight, the team has three weeks to add the player to the active roster. If the player is not added to the active roster after those three weeks, they remain on the NFI list for the remainder of the season. A nuance to this rule also states a team may only move a maximum of two players from the NFI to the active roster, for a season.
What Does the Rule Mean for Ezukanma?
Ezukanma will have to wait another season to show what he can do, during the regular season. It is frustrating for everyone involved. Ezukanma aired his frustrations out on X (formerly Twitter) on November 28, stating “I want to play football.” The Dolphins could have used his services this week. The Dolphins have ruled out number two receiver, Jaylen Waddle, to an ankle injury. The loss of Waddle comes at a bad time for the Dolphins. The team could take control of the one seed in the AFC playoff race, with a victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. They will now have to beat the Ravens without Waddle and Ezukanma. Ezukanma could have played a big role in a unique game plan that Miami must utilize to beat the Ravens.
This is Where Erik Ezukanma Has Been and Has Been Going Through
The circumstances around Ezukanma being placed on the NFI list seem muddled. The rule states that because the initial injury occurred elsewhere, (other than with the Dolphins) Ezukanma was required to be placed on the NFI list. The rule seems to be somewhat absurd because while it was an injury that occurred before he had signed with the Dolphins, he did re-aggravate it while a member of the Dolphins.
Takeaway
The NFI list, at least on the surface, does not seem fair. For example, if the initial injury occurred during week one (hypothetically speaking, and not before Ezukanma joined the Dolphins) Ezukanma would have been eligible to go on IR. The NFL needs to do a better job of remembering why they have some of the rules they have on the books because some of them are hurting players who have so much to give to their team, the game, and the NFL itself. Here’s hoping Dolphins fans get to see Erik Ezukanma’s star shine soon.
Main Photo: [Nathan Ray Seebek] – USA Today Sports
