The Miami Dolphins turned in a disappointing loss to the Detroit Lions in Hard Rock Stadium 32-21. It seems roster scratches dramatically impacted the Dolphins who came into this game a home underdog.

There are many who think less of pointing to injuries as a main cause for the Dolphins struggles. But when Miami has only four wide receivers activated and two get banged up, what else is there to point to? When the Lions gash you in the running game, how can defensive injuries be ignored?

For context, the last time the Lions had a 1,000-yard rusher was in 2013. Former Dolphins running back Reggie Bush was the only significant running threat in the past five years (though Joique Bell might be worthy of honorable mention with almost 900 yards in 2014). This is with no disrespect to rookie Kerryon Johnson who broke 100 yards on the ground for the Lions before the half and finished with 158 yards on 19 carries. But if a team has two defensive ends on injured reserve and two more inactive for this contest due to injury, stopping an outside running attack could prove a bit challenging.

So while that stymies the defense, half of the active receiving corps getting banged up was a big problem offensively. Sounds rough enough on the surface for a team, but when those two receivers are the squad’s best deep threat in Kenny Stills and Albert Wilson who leads the offense in total touchdowns coming into this game, it certainly doesn’t improve the situation.

Give credit to quarterback Brock Osweiler in his second start with Miami. He posted 22-for-31 with 239 yards and two touchdowns and zero turnovers. The issue remains that the offensive line is patchwork in the middle. Case in point, Lions defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois sacked Osweiler for two of the four times the backup quarterback was taken down in the backfield.

With four days until the next Dolphins showing against the Texans, there’s not much time allotted for this team to get healthy.