Dolphins RB Daniel Thomas blames injuries for his disappointing rookie season. "I know I've gotten better," Thomas said. "The injuries affected me a lot last year. They messed my mind up. I lost the confidence I had. I didn't have the same burst I had earlier." After averaging 3.5 yards-per-carry and struggling after contact as a rookie, Thomas added seven pounds to his frame this offseason. He'll compete with starter Reggie Bush for carries and is a hold in dynasty leagues.

Dolphins coach Joe Philbin singled out blitz pickup as one area in which second-year RB Daniel Thomas needs to improve. Pro Football Focus graded Thomas positively in pass protection last season, but he was beaten for a sack in Week 7 against the Broncos. Thomas battled myriad injuries as a rookie, finishing with a 3.52 yards-per-carry average. He showed little to suggest that a breakout second season will be in the offing.

Daniel Thomas rushed 12 times for 28 yards and added two catches for 12 yards in Sunday's game against the Jets. Thomas failed to take advantage of a spot-start for Reggie Bush and finished with less than 30 yards in the final four games of the regular season. His role in the Dolphins offense going forward remains to be seen as he has struggled with both his health and effectiveness. In his rookie campaign, he finished without a rushing touchdown and just 565 rushing yards over 12 games.

Daniel Thomas believes his struggles this season were the result of inexperience. For the first time since Reggie Bush's emergence, Thomas will be back in a featured role. "I have a lot more game experience, so I feel good now," Thomas said. "I just have to finish strong." The Jets allow an average of 113 rushing yards per game and Thomas projects to see the majority of work for the Dolphins on Sunday, with Lex Hilliard not expected to factor into the offense. Thomas is Rotoworld's 25th ranked running back for Week 17.

Daniel Thomas is not listed on the Dolphins' Week 17 injury report. Strange. Thomas was unable to finish out last week's loss to the Patriots, not even coming back in after Reggie Bush sustained a late knee injury. It appears that was just a precaution. Thomas will be in for a very substantial workload this week if Bush sits.

Daniel Thomas believes the knee injury he sustained in the Week 16 loss to the Patriots is not serious. Thomas was unable to return to the game after picking up just three yards on two carries. Reggie Bush also sustained a leg injury late in the game that isn't thought to be serious either. Their availability for the season finale is unknown.

Daniel Thomas left Sunday's Week 16 game against the Patriots in the second quarter with a knee injury. Thomas is questionable to return. He had just two carries for three yards before leaving. Reggie Bush is functioning as a highly productive every-down back once again, although he did get stuffed on a goal-line chance.

Daniel Thomas rushed 11 times for 42 yards in the Dolphins' Week 15 loss to the Bills. Thomas was the clear backup to feature back Reggie Bush, who racked up 25 carries. But Thomas was used as the goal-line/short-yardage back once again, failing to convert from inside the 3-yard line in the first half. Still, the rookie can't be trusted with Bush playing so well. He won't be an option in Week 16, even against the Patriots' leaky defense.

Daniel Thomas was limited to four yards on seven carries in Week 14 against the Eagles. He added two catches for nine yards. Thomas continues to backup Reggie Bush and was rarely featured in Miami's offense again this week. His value is entirely dependent on him being effective in red zone and short-yardage situations.

Daniel Thomas admitted that he "didn't know what the hell I was doing" in the preseason. Thomas' rookie training camp back in August was an unmitigated disaster, but Dynasty owners can forget about that now. By running with toughness and power in the regular season, he's put that tentative label behind him. "I didn't talk to anyone," he said. "The whole preseason was tough. Everybody was on me, saying I wasn't hitting the hole hard - which I wasn't." The rookie is locked in as Reggie Bush's complement going forward.