Eugene “Mercury” Morris

Eugene “Mercury” Morris, who starred for the unbeaten 1972 Miami Dolphins as part of a star-studded backfield and helped the team win two Super Bowl titles, has died, the team said Sunday.

Morris, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, was 77. In a statement, his family said his “talent and passion left an indelible mark on the sport.”

“Beyond the field, Mercury was a devoted father, a loving brother, a loyal friend, and a pillar in the community,” his family wrote in the statement. “His presence extended far beyond football, as he touched the lives of many throughout his time in Miami.”

Morris was the starting halfback and one of three go-to runners that Dolphins coach Don Shula utilized in Miami’s back-to-back title seasons of 1972 and 1973, alongside Pro Football Hall of Famer Larry Csonka and Jim Kiick. Morris led the Dolphins in rushing touchdowns in both of those seasons, finishing with an NFL-best 12 in 1972 and then 10 more in 1973.

“Morris left a lasting impact through his dynamic play, personality and record-breaking performances,” read part of a statement from the Dolphins on Sunday. “He loved the Dolphins, the fans and the community of South Florida and will forever be remembered as one of the greatest players to don the aqua and orange.”

Those 1972 and 1973 seasons – the best in Dolphins’ history – just happened to be the best of Morris’ eight-year career as well. He rushed for a career-high 1,000 yards in 1972, then ran for 954 more along with a league-best 6.4 yards per carry the following season.

Morris wasted no time making an impact on the Dolphins. In the first game as a rookie in 1969, he ran back a kickoff 105 yards for a touchdown against Cincinnati. That remains the longest in team history, and both his three career kick return TDs and average of 26.5 yards per return also are team records.

BROWNS: All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett will undergo an MRI on his foot Monday after an injury that bothered him for long stretches of Cleveland’s 21-15 loss to the New York Giants.

Garrett had to be helped off the field at one point of the fourth quarter. On Friday, the NFL’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year revealed he’s dealing with injuries to both feet but didn’t say exactly what was wrong.

Garrett grabbed his right foot during the game, and he was limping following several plays. The 28-year-old said he’s dealing with multiple issues in both of his legs as he’s trying to compensate for the foot injuries.

CHARGERS: Franchise quarterback Justin Herbert began the day by starting despite a balky right ankle that limited his practice time during the week. He ended it with his right foot in a boot after being pulled late in the third quarter of Los Angeles’ 20-10 loss not long after being sacked by Steelers linebacker Elandon Roberts.

While Herbert completed 12 of 18 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown to Quentin Johnston, he could only watch from the sideline in the fourth quarter as backup Taylor Heinicke struggled to find time in the face of a pass rush that ended up with five sacks.

Harbaugh declined to speculate what Herbert’s availability might be next week against Kansas City, instead praising his franchise quarterback’s toughness.