News from Dolphins’ injury report and what players said. And Ramsey’s interesting comments

The Dolphins are optimistic that star receiver Tyreek Hill will return from an ankle injury on Sunday against Dallas, but two other starters likely will need the blessing of trainers to play.

Cornerback Xavien Howard, who missed the Jets game with a hip injury, and right tackle Austin Jackson, who is dealing with an oblique injury, indicated they plan to play on Sunday. But team trainers would need to sign off on that, a decision based partly on an estimation of their chances of re-aggravating their injuries.

Hill, Howard, Jackson, safety Jevon Holland (knees), linebacker Emmanuel Ogbah (hamstring), cornerback Cam Smith (hamstring) and safety Elijah Campbell (knee) were listed as questionable. Guard Robert Hunt was the only Dolphins player ruled out.

Terron Armstead, Raheem Mostert, De’Von Achane and DeShon Elliott are good to go after being limited earlier in the week.

Asked whether he intends to play Sunday against the visiting Cowboys (4:25 p.m., Fox), Jackson said Friday: “That’s the goal. That’s the plan. Felt better today.”

After missing practice on Wednesday and Thursday, Jackson practiced on a limited basis on Friday.

Jackson left the second half of the Jets game because “I had a minor setback” with the injury.

“I kind of had this for a couple weeks,” Jackson said. “We’re monitoring it. We went the rest route this week for a couple days.”

Jackson, who likely would be matched up at times with Cowboys All Pro linebacker Micah Parsons (12.5 sacks this season), said: “He’s a great player. Great speed and techniques. It’s been a pleasure watching his film and preparing for him.”

On Sunday, the Dolphins will be without Hunt, who will miss a third consecutive game and fifth overall with a hamstring injury.

With starters Connor Williams and Isaiah Wynn on injured reserve and Hunt sidelined, the Dolphins likely will start an interior offensive line featuring guards Lester Cotton and Rob Jones and center Liam Eichenberg. If Jackson cannot play, Kendall Lamm would start at right tackle.

As for Hill, he didn’t speak with reporters this week. But he practiced on a limited basis on Thursday and Friday, and before Friday’s practice, Mike McDaniel said Hill “has had a good week, no setbacks... Feel good about him” for Sunday.

Though Holland was listed as questionable, it appears likely he will miss a fourth consecutive game with sprained MCLs. He participated in stretching inside the team facility but did not join teammates for team drills, at least during the portion of practice open to reporters.

The Cowboys also have injuries to key players. Defensive lineman Jonathan Hankins is out and offensive tackle Tyron Smith is doubtful. Guard Zack Martin is among those listed as questionable.

RAMSEY’S THOUGHTS

Though coordinator Vic Fangio authorized Jalen Ramsey shadowing Jets No. 1 receiver Garrett Wilson for much of Sunday’s game against the Jets, Fangio doesn’t typically like doing that. He made clear it was done only because Howard was sidelined.

Asked about the possibility of shadowing Cowboys Pro Bowl receiver CeeDee Lamb on Sunday, Ramsey said: “I don’t think that’s the game plan. I don’t think that’s my role in this defense.”

When asked if he welcomes shadowing a top receiver, Ramsey said: “Next question. You know who I am. You know what I’ve done in my career.”

THIS AND THAT

Outside linebacker Bradley Chubb, who has an NFL-leading six forced fumbles this season and 13 in his career, said watching former Denver teammate Von Miller helped ingrain in him the benefits of trying to dislodge the ball.

“I didn’t start thinking about that until my rookie year,” Chubb said. “Von is the poster child of getting the ball out. Von Miller put that in my mind.”

▪ The Cowboys have scored 18.2 points per game fewer on the road than at home, which is the third largest such disparity in NFL history. Dallas is 7-0 at home, 3-4 on the road.

Dolphins fullback Alec Ingold said the Cowboys, coming off a 31-10 loss in Buffalo, “are coming down with a point to prove. They’re going to be ornery.”

▪ Former Dolphins first-round pick Noah Igbinoghene, who was traded to Dallas for Kelvin Joseph in late August, has played only 25 defensive snaps for the Cowboys.

The Dolphins released Joseph on Nov. 14 after he played just 21 defensive snaps for Miami; he’s now on Seattle’s practice squad.

▪ Keep this in mind on Sunday: While the Dolphins are great when they have pre-snap motion, the Cowboys haven’t been very good defending it.

Per ESPN, the Dolphins have had motion at the snap on 65 percent of their plays (most in the league) and have 40 TDs on those plays (the 49ers have the next most with 20).

Miami averages 7.1 yards per play (second best in the league) on those plays with motion.

Conversely, the Cowboys have allowed six touchdowns and no interceptions and a 66 completion percentage on plays with motion, compared with 12 TDs, 13 interceptions and 58 completion on plays without it.