Brian Flores’ morning briefing: Key injury updates, McMillan and Needham and much more
News and notes from Brian Flores’ morning news conference ahead of training camp practice No. 7.
▪ Linebacker Kyle Van Noy, who left practice with an apparent upper-body injury, is “day-to-day” to return. That suggests his issue is not nearly as serious as the injuries suffered by Vince Biegel and Curtis Weaver, who are likely out for the season.
Weaver, a rookie fifth-round pick, was waived/injured Monday with a significant foot issue — putting him at risk to be claimed Tuesday by all 31 other teams. If not, he will revert back to injured reserve and the Dolphins will maintain his rights.
“A lot goes into that decision: injuries, player performance, salary cap, depth at the position, next year’s draft,” Flores said. “There’s a small percentage of players who get claimed in that position. We’ll know this evening.”
Meanwhile, wide receiver Jakeem Grant is dealing with a minor injury of his own and is not expected to practice Tuesday.
▪ Flores has been been outspoken about the nation’s rash of police shootings of unarmed Black men, and on Tuesday was asked his thoughts on the latest. Police in Wisconsin shot Jacob Blake multiple times in the back after he tried to break up a dispute between two women.
Flores’ reaction: “It reminds me there’s a lot of fear in this world, a lot of anger in this world. Racism, classism, sexism. There’s a lot of division. What we need is unity. That’s what we need. Unfortunately, situations like this create more division. I think it’s sad.”
Flores said he has not yet watched the video of the shooting “because I’m not ready to watch it emotionally. I have a pretty good idea what I’m going to see.”
▪ With Xavien Howard and Noah Igbinoghene both held out of practice Monday, Nik Needham got a promotion. No Dolphins cornerback played more snaps than Needham last year, but he’s no sure bet to make the team.
“I think Nik has made a lot of improvement over the course of a year,” Flores said. “How Nik came into training camp, he’s learned a lot. Matured a lot. Taken a lot more of a professional approach since his rookie year. He’s made some strides. I tell these guys, when you get your opportunity, you have to take advantage of it.”
▪ Multiple Dolphins rookies could start on both sides of the ball in 2020.
Flores suggested that first-year players who see the field earn that playing time, but acknowledged that “there’s a little bit of forecasting and predicting we need to do as an organization. A guy may not be better than somebody else Week 1, but the forecast [might be] he may be better in Week 12.”
▪ Asked of Dolphins linebacker Raekwon McMillan, the former second-round pick who is in danger of not making the team, Flores said: “A good tackler. A good communicator, a smart player. Plays in the kicking game. He’s still ascending. I think he’s doing well, he’s playing well this training camp. There’s a lot of comp at that linebacker position. We’ll see where the chips fall. “
The Dolphins will surely try to trade McMillan before cutting him if they decide to move on, and Flores’ comments Tuesday send a message to the league’s other 31 teams that the third-year player is still a valuable asset.
This story was originally published August 25, 2020 at 9:31 AM.
