Xavien Howard pulls down another interception, again tied for NFL lead after Dolphins’ loss to Broncos

DENVER — Xavien Howard is still on a roll defensively.

Howard’s interception of Broncos’ second-year quarterback Drew Lock put the Dolphins in prime position on their side of the field, allowing rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to find receiver DeVante Parker in the end zone to give Miami a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.

It was just another example of the Dolphins playing complementary football, a staple of their success during their five-game win streak before facing Denver.

Howard is tied with New England Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson for the NFL lead in the interceptions, a category he also had a share of the lead in during his standout 2018 season in which he made the Pro Bowl.

Howard also took the lead over Tennessee Titans safety Kevin Byard for 18 total interceptions since 2017.

Tua nearly picked off

Tagovailoa nearly threw the first interception of his career during the first quarter of Sunday’s game.

Tagovailoa showed play-action, and rolled to his right side for a pass that was picked off by Broncos defensive back Justin Simmons two plays after Howard secured his interception.

The play call may have been questionable with Tagovailoa rolling out to his right side, and the short side of the field.

But Tagovailoa and the Dolphins were lucky to avoid the turnover thanks to a holding penalty by the Broncos defense.

Through the first three games and the first half in Denver, Tagovailoa has yet to be charged with an interception thrown during his rookie season.

Pregame notes

The Dolphins were close to full strength against the Broncos from an injury standpoint.

Dolphins outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy (hip), running back Matt Brieda (hamstring) and rookie offensive lineman Soloman Kindley (foot) were all active and played despite their nursing injuries.

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Kindley, who started the first eight games of his rookie season at right guard, returned to the starting lineup after missing his first start of the season last week. But he later left the Broncos game because of his injury.

The Dolphins finished the game with rookie left tackle Austin Jackson, left guard Ereck Flowers, center Ted Karras, Jesse Davis at right guard and rookie Robert Hunt at right tackle.

Van Noy was somewhat limited in the second half of Miami’s win over the Los Angeles Chargers after he first sustained his hip injury. But the Dolphins’ captain played and avoided missing his second game due to injury this season.

Breida, an offseason acquisition for the Dolphins, returned after a two-game absence due to his hamstring injury to support Miami’s run game.

McKenzie an option for Falcons’ job

Reggie McKenzie, the Dolphins’ senior personnel executive who has assisted general manager Chris Grier, is among a list of candidates for the Atlanta Falcons’ vacant general manager job, according to a ESPN report on Sunday.

McKenzie, who has been in his role with Miami the past two seasons, was the general manager of the Raiders from 2012-18.