MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert returned to practice Thursday, and left tackle Terron Armstead was a limited participant for a second straight day.

Both were seen during a brief media viewing portion of Thursday drills. Armstead was out of the red, non-contact jersey that he wore in his Wednesday return to drills for the first time in nearly a month.

The Dolphins could use both for a boost in the run game in their upcoming Sunday night game against the New England Patriots. Miami managed just 70 rushing yards on 20 attempts as a team in the season-opening win at the Los Angeles Chargers.

Mostert, who was officially listed as a non-participant on Wednesday’s injury report for a knee ailment, was upgraded to full participation in Thursday drills.

“I know it was a big scare for a lot of people, but there was nothing to worry about,” Mostert said. “They just wanted to give me a vet day. They feel like, with my age, with how many years I’ve played, how much ball I’ve been around and how much I’ve seen throughout the years, they were trying to look out for me.”

He described it as preventative treatment he’s receiving on his knee.

Armstead has been limited Wednesday and Thursday. He is dealing with an ankle injury suffered Aug. 17 in a joint practice with the Houston Texans and is also receiving treatment on his knee and back.

Armstead missed the opener against the Chargers, but Kendall Lamm filled in well at his left tackle post. Mostert carried 10 times for 37 yards and a touchdown in Los Angeles.

The Dolphins also had wide receiver Jaylen Waddle upgraded to full participation for his oblique injury, after being limited Wednesday. Defensive back Elijah Campbell (knee) and tight end Julian Hill (ankle) remained limited Thursday.

For the Patriots, cornerback Jonathan Jones appeared on the injury report Thursday for an ankle injury. Offensive linemen Trent Brown and Sidy Sow remained out of practice in concussion protocol. Also limited were center David Andrews (hamstring), wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (hamstring), offensive lineman Mike Onwenu (ankle), wide receiver DeVante Parker (knee) and guard Cole Strange (knee).

Ezukanma in the run game

Twice in Sunday’s win over the Chargers, second-year wide receiver Erik Ezukanma had rush attempts, once out of the backfield and another time on an end-around. The two carries went for 17 yards.

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel famously had 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel as an efficient rusher as a wide receiver in McDaniel’s one season as San Francisco offensive coordinator.

“The way he plays, breaking tackles, I feel like we play similar,” said Ezukanma, who added he has watched Samuel tape since college. “With me adding that to my arsenal, I feel like it’ll definitely help to watch more of his tape or highlights, stuff like that.

Ezukanma said of what makes him a threat in that setting: “Just being elusive, being relentless, trying to break tackles. I see edges of defenders, and I just don’t let one person tackle me.”

“When we’re doing different things with guys throughout training camp, we try and use them in ways that best fit how they can contribute,” Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith said of getting Ezukanma involved on the ground. “With the defense and what they presented, we saw an option to do that.”

Ezukanma was also in the backfield on Miami’s winning touchdown, a Tua Tagovailoa 4-yard throw to Tyreek Hill. The Texas Tech product also drew the key pass interference at the end of the first half for the untimed down that resulted in a field goal. He made all these contributions after only being active for one regular-season game as a rookie fourth-round draft pick in 2022.

Hill gives back

Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill decided to pay a Wednesday evening visit to a South Miami boy who went viral recently for his football skills in the yard while sporting Hill’s jersey.

“If you ever change somebody’s life, you never know what outcome that could be for a person,” Hill said. “I’m very grateful the little kid, Franco, had on my jersey. I’m very grateful to be part of that experience.”

Hill said his favorite receiver growing up was Randy Moss, adding he was also a fan of Hines Ward.

If a young Hill were to have Moss see him as a child: “I probably would’ve said, ‘I’m faster than you,’ though. It probably would’ve been true.”

Hill also had a request for Dolphins fans to pack Gillette Stadium on Sunday night after Miami had a strong showing in Los Angeles in Week 1.

“Just come out, be loud and boo the other team. Call Mac Jones sorry. That’ll be good,” Hill said.

No love for Gesicki

Although Dolphins tight end Durham Smythe spent five seasons together with now-Patriots tight end Mike Gesicki in Miami and is a noted good friend of his, Smythe didn’t have kind words for Gesicki this week.

“That’s the enemy,” Smythe said Wednesday. “They’re all the same. Enemies are faceless, as they say. He’s definitely faceless this week.”

Smythe was active in the opener with Gesicki no longer on the Dolphins. He played every offensive snap, had seven targets, three receptions for 44 yards and could’ve had another for a touchdown had Tagovailoa not gone to River Cracraft as both were open.