DAVIE, Fla. – Miami Dolphins second-year cornerback Tony Lippett didn’t know he would make his first NFL start until about 24 hours before Miami's 22-7 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Lippett, a 2015 fifth-round pick, was a surprise replacement for veteran Byron Maxwell, who struggled the prior two weeks against the New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns. Dolphins head coach Adam Gase warned during the practice week that players will be held accountable, and he made a statement by benching Maxwell. Even more telling than the benching was the fact Maxwell played zero snaps.