Dolphins’ McDaniel addresses injuries at receiver and running back, other issues
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said receiver Grant DuBose is out for Sunday’s game at Seattle and suggested that it’s unlikely running back Raheem Mostert will play.
Mostert has been limited in practice with a chest injury that caused him to miss the Buffalo game. McDaniel said he’s “pessimistic” about Mostert’s chances of playing on Sunday but wouldn’t rule it out.
DuBose, who has been the team’s No. 4 receiver amid injuries to others, will miss some time with a shoulder injury. “There’s got to be a decision” about how to proceed with the injury, McDaniel said, adding that it does not appear to be a season-ending injury.
With Malik Washington limited this week with a quadriceps injury, the Dolphins have three healthy receivers on the 53-man roster: Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and Braxton Berrios.
McDaniel said he’s not sure if Washington will play Sunday: “I feel good about his progress. He’s done such a good job being a pro. We know we can count on him. We want to make sure we are not putting him in harm’s way. He’s done some good things this week; we are measuring risk/reward. He’s either playing under the expectation we’re not going to risk anything or just missed the op by a day or two and” would play in Week 4 under that circumstance.
The Dolphins have two receivers on the practice squad: Erik Ezukanma and former Seahawks receiver Dee Eskridge. There’s a decent chance at least one will be elevated for Sunday’s game.
Ezukanma sustained a leg injury late in preseason, but he is healthy enough to play and is in the mix for a possible elevation Sunday, McDaniel said.
With Mostert unlikely to play, DeVon Achane, Jeff Wilson Jr., Jaylen Wright and fullback Alec Ingold will be the team’s running backs at Seattle (4 p.m., CBS).
“I’m proud of Jaylen because it was a dramatic change in a schematic standpoint [from college] in what we ask guys to do,” McDaniel said. “Every day, he’s becoming more of a pro. First game of last year, DeVon wasn’t active. Jaylen knows that. You try to contribute any way, shape or form. The running back room we have is as good as any I’ve been around.”
Left tackle Terron Armstead, who is nursing a shoulder injury, said Thursday that he will play on Sunday. McDaniel confirmed that.
McDaniel addressed other issues Friday:
▪ McDaniel did not reveal whether No. 3 quarterback Tim Boyle would be elevated for Sunday’s game or whether Miami would have only starter Skylar Thompson and backup Tyler Huntley active. Tua Tagovailoa will miss at least four games because of a concussion but will travel with the team to Seattle.
▪ Will McDaniel discourage his healthy quarterbacks and Tagovailoa from aggressive runs to preserve their health?
“I don’t coach quarterbacks to try to run over defenders,” McDaniel said. “You try to play a competitive sport where people try to tackle you with vigor and sometimes competitiveness takes over. It’s a physical sport. There are inherent risks of injuries.”
▪ McDaniel, whose team produced lofty offensive stats the past two years, said: “We have been No. 1 in categories. We are over that.”
This story was originally published September 20, 2024 at 11:40 AM.
