Dolphins’ Mike McDaniel gives update on veterans not practicing during minicamp and more
As the Dolphins manage their 90-man roster during the offseason workout program, several veterans have been limited or not practiced at all in the sessions open to media. Head coach Mike McDaniel on Wednesday provided an update on the status of two projected starters.
On inside linebacker David Long Jr., who has not been seen in team drills, McDaniel said that he had a “minor tweak that isn’t that big a deal” earlier in the offseason workout program.
“I love his energy. I love what he brings to the locker room,” McDaniel said. “I love what he brings to the practice field. You can feel that’s he out there and I’m certainly excited for when he’s able to get back on the field.”
And wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who was at the first day of mandatory minicamp Tuesday but did not participate in any intrasquad work, is dealing with “some minor stuff,” McDaniel said.
“Tyreek is probably the least I’m worried about being physically able to perform his tasks,” he said. “And I will say he’s been executing his assignments and walkthroughs. He is putting his best foot forward. He’s night and day ahead of where he was last year in regards to the offense.
McDaniel addressed these other topics:
▪ McDaniel said that starting center Connor Williams, who was not at practice Tuesday, continues to be absent from team activities.
“We’re in communication. We’re not going to put a day when he’s back,” McDaniel said.
▪ On wide receiver Robbie Chosen: “Chosen’s been awesome to have around because he’s at a point in his career where he’s experienced a good amount of success, but he’s hungry to develop and improve ... one of the most coachable guys that I’ve been around that has had success at the level he’s had in his career. He is open-minded, bright-eyed and wants to be better.”
▪ On cornerback Jalen Ramsey’s impact on the team: “He’s been exactly what we need from a guy that is in charge of holding a predominant piece in our defense. He’s been engaged. ... He’s fit right in with a lot of veterans here. You can already see him push [Xavien Howard] for X’s benefit, the way he communicates with guys that are out there coming off the field, Jevon Holland. That’s tremendous.
“But he’s also communicating with all the secondary players, as well as some of the guys that aren’t practicing, like the Brandon Joneses or the Nik Needhams. He is exactly what we have hoped for and probably a little bit more.”
