Daniel Thomas Injury: RB's Hamstring Injury an Opportunity for Reggie Bush

Miami Dolphins rookie running back Daniel Thomas was declared out with a hamstring injury on Saturday for Sunday's game against the New York Giants, which means Reggie Bush will likely receive more carries.

And given Bush is seeing his window close to be a featured back in the NFL, he would be wise to take advantage.

Thomas was overtaking Bush this season in the Dolphins' backfield, with 75 carries to Bush's 60 headed into Week 8. The second-rounder out of Kansas State was averaging 75.5 rushing yards per game headed into Sunday, while Bush had averaged 10 carries in the last two weeks.

Bush does have a neck injury at the moment, but he practiced on Friday and is listed as probable.

The No. 2 overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, Bush has failed to prove throughout the years, whether it be with the Dolphins or the New Orleans Saints, that he's equipped to be a feature back in the NFL.

A big part of this has been the fact that he struggles running in between the tackles and is largely used as an outside runner or a receiver out of the backfield. The only touchdown Bush has this season is as a receiver.

Bush is quickly running out of opportunities, with the Dolphins giving Thomas more carries despite the rookie averaging a mediocre 4.0 yards per carry.

When Bush was brought into Miami during the offseason, it was seen as a new start for him, and he showed spurts in the preseason that he may be turning the corner.

But faced up against starting defenses during the regular season, Bush has shown that he still has issues to be the guy for the Dolphins.

Bush's last two games, however, have been more encouraging. He rushed for 71 yards on 10 carries against the New York Jets and 42 yards on 10 carries against the Denver Broncos.

As a former No. 2 pick being overtaken by a rookie, Bush needs to start impressing some people, or he's going to languish as a bit player for the rest of his career.