Joe Philbin has never hidden the fact he's fundamentally opposed to carrying a fullback on his team.
The Miami Dolphins run a spread offense that typically features only one tailback in the backfield, and when the offense does need to use power packages they lean on the two-tight end sets.
The Dolphins haven't had a fullback on the 53-man roster since the first month of the 2013 season, which was when Tyler Clutts was picked up off waivers from the Texans and lasted four games in Miami. And before that Jorvorskie Lane spent the 2012 season in Miami.
However, Philbin does realize there are situations, and packages where the offense is begging for a more physical presence to gain tough yards. That explains why Earl Mitchell, the team's starting defense tackle, spent an entire period of Sunday's practice working on offense as a fullback.