Dolphins say they’re unsure about availability of several key players on Sunday. And notes
The status of several key Dolphins remained in question for Sunday’s game against the visiting Jets (1 p.m. CBS).
Asked at midday Thursday if he expects cornerback Xavien Howard (hip) and running back De’Von Achane (toe) to be available on Sunday, coach Mike McDaniel said he didn’t know.
Both would have been unable to practice on Wednesday, according to the team. Six others also fell into that no-practice category Wednesday:
Offensive lineman Liam Eichenberg (calf), Raheem Mostert (knee/vet rest), wide receiver Tyreek Hill (ankle), left tackle Terron Armstead (knee/ankle), right guard Robert Hunt (hamstring) and safety DeShon Elliott (concussion/ribs).
Hill said on social media on Wednesday that “I’m good. I’ll be [all right].”
McDaniel said Thursday: “He’s such an important part of our team that we’re going to make sure that when he’s on the field, he’s not at risk of further injury to himself.”
McDaniel said he would be surprised if Hunt played against the Jets and that the possibility of Armstead playing is more realistic.
The Dolphins already are without linebacker Jaelan Phillips and center Connor Williams (who are both out for the year), guard Isaiah Wynn (long-term quadriceps injury) and linebacker Jerome Baker, who cannot return sooner than the regular-season finale against Buffalo.
Safety Jevon Holland (knees), right tackle Austin Jackson (oblique), outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (oblique) and rookie running back Chris Brooks (knee) would have been limited in Wednesday’s practice.
Holland told WQAM 560 on Tuesday that he sprained the MCL in both of his knees in the Jets game but is optimistic about playing Sunday after missing two games.
With Williams sidelined for the remainder of the season, Eichenberg would start at center if he’s healthy enough. Lester Cotton, who’s now the backup center, has never played a snap at center in an NFL game.
The Dolphins have a third center option in Jonotthan Harrison, who has 42 career starts at the position but hasn’t appeared in a game since 2019. Harrison joined the team on Wednesday.
The Dolphins also now have a veteran center on the practice squad in Matt Skura. After adding Skura, Miami released rookie center Alama Uluave from the practice squad on Thursday in order to make room for veteran edge rusher Melvin Ingram.
Coming off a physical Monday night game, the Dolphins are holding only a walk-through on Thursday, and that won’t offer any final clarity on who’s available to play Sunday. Miami will hold a regular practice on Friday.
McDaniel addressed other issues:
▪ He didn’t want to discuss whether the tackle that injured Hill should have been penalized as a horse collar tackle.
▪ On the addition of Ingram to the practice squad: “His style of play very much fits how we as a defense approach that position. We’re fortunate to add him at this point.
“We are going to take it day-by-day. His workout is what we needed to see, which is why he’s here. A workout is far different from a game. We put it on our shoulders not to put him out there until he can represent who.. he is.”
Ingram had six sacks for the Dolphins last season.
The Dolphins can elevate Ingram to the active roster three times this season without moving him to the 53-man roster.
▪ On his interactions with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio after Miami allowed two touchdowns in the final three minutes of Monday’s 28-27 loss to Tennessee:
“We talked through what we saw, why stuff happened so that we can coach our players, so that you learn from it.”
McDaniel called Fangio “one of the best, if not the best” defensive-callers he has ever been around.
▪ Asked about playing late in Monday’s game with backup safeties Brandon Jones and Elijah Campbell, McDaniel said “It’s not their fault we gave up a lot of yards.”
This story was originally published December 14, 2023 at 12:41 PM.
