DAVIE, Fla. -- Who is the Miami Dolphins' leading rusher halfway through the preseason? The answer may surprise you.

It is not Jay Ajayi, for whom some expect a breakout season in Year 2. It is also not former Pro Bowler Arian Foster, who made his debut Friday against the Dallas Cowboys.

Isaiah Pead is leading the Dolphins in rushing through two preseason games with 98 yards on 14 carries. Jerome Miron/USA TODAY Sports

Instead, backup running back Isaiah Pead is leading Miami in rushing by a significant margin. He has 98 rushing yards on 14 carries through two preseason games and is averaging 7.0 yards per carry, highlighted by an impressive 45-yard scamper against Dallas.

Pead is not competing for a starting job, but he is making a strong push for a roster spot. The Dolphins may keep four running backs -- and Ajayi, Foster and rookie Kenyan Drake (who is injured) are the only locks. That leaves Pead in a potential battle with Damien Williams and Daniel Thomas for one roster spot.

Pead is doing all he can to earn that spot and the trust of Miami’s coaching staff.

“I think that comes with accountability, being on time, doing what you gotta do and not giving them any reasons for mistakes,” Pead said Sunday.

Pead came into the league highly touted as a 2012 second-round pick by the Rams. Pead was expected to eventually become the starter with the Rams, but things never panned out. The most rushing yards he has gained in a season were the 54 yards he had as a rookie.

Entering his fourth season, Pead has impressed the Dolphins with his work ethic.

“I had my knucklehead years in the past at one point,” Pead said candidly. “But I grew up, learn from it and that’s life.”

Here are some other Dolphins notes from Sunday: