DAVIE, Fla. -- Running back Jonas Gray's first play from scrimmage this season with the Miami Dolphins was a fumbled exchange with quarterback Ryan Tannehill that the team recovered.

But things significantly improved for Gray after his initial play in Sunday’s loss to the Buffalo Bills. The tailback was one of the few consistent bright spots, leading the team with 49 rushing yards on nine carries. Gray averaged 5.4 yards per carry.

Gray provided a much-needed boost to Miami’s rushing attack that’s been inconsistent so far this season and he could earn a bigger role in the offense.

“Yeah, he did a nice job, he was productive,” Dolphins coach Joe Philbin said Wednesday. “Obviously, we can’t have a running back-quarterback [fumbled] exchange on a run play. That’s something that can’t happen. Overall, I thought, for his first action, I thought he played well.”

Things didn't get off to the best start for Jonas Gray, but he bounced back to rush for 49 yards against the Bills. Miami Herald/Zumapress/Icon Sportswire

Gray showed flashes of brilliance during his stint last year with the New England Patriots. He rushed for 201 yards in a win over the Indianapolis Colts that had many thinking Gray could be the starter in New England.

But an alarm-clock snafu forced Gray to be late for practice last season and he spent the rest of the season in coach Bill Belichick’s doghouse. Despite a solid preseason, Gray was released by the Patriots and claimed by the Dolphins.

Miami hopes Gray can provide power to match with quicker tailbacks Lamar Miller and Damien Williams. Gray’s first game action in Miami was a good start.

“I thought I did OK,” Gray said. “I thought maybe I could have finished a few runs a little bit better. But I thought it was a good thing to build off of.”

The Dolphins (1-2) need their running game Sunday in London against a New York Jets (2-1) defense that allows just 3.6 yards per rushing attempt and has allowed just one rushing touchdown. Miami’s offense has sputtered out the gate and must start building consistency.

When Dolphins offensive coordinator Bill Lazor was asked about Gray, the first thing he mentioned was the fumbled exchanged and that it can’t happen. Miami’s offense is struggling to score points – averaging just 14.7 per game – and cannot afford more turnovers.

As long as ball security is not an issue, Gray should get more opportunities.

“You asked about Jonas and I’m getting off on a tangent; I thought Jonas ran hard, I think he’s getting better all the time and I’m looking forward to him competing,” Lazor said earlier this week. “But you touched a chord when I went back to that fumbled exchange because one of the things we had done well is we haven’t been turning the football over and obviously we changed that negatively [Sunday].”