Dolphins promote receiver, add defensive lineman. And Hill questionable, personnel notes
Dolphins defensive lineman Zach Sieler’s freak injury at practice resulted in more than just a sore eye; he has a fractured orbital bone, NFL Network reported Friday.
Also Friday, the Dolphins listed receiver Tyreek Hill as questionable with a foot injury, though Mike McDaniel said at midday Friday that he’s “very optimistic” that Hill will play Sunday against visiting Arizona (1 p.m., Fox). Hill was limited during Thursday’s practice and did not practice Friday.
With Sieler out for Sunday’s home game against Arizona and listed as “week to week” by McDaniel, Miami on Friday signed veteran rotational defensive lineman Matt Dickerson to its practice squad.
The Dolphins also signed practice squad receiver Dee Eskridge to the 53-man roster in the wake of Braxton Berrios’ season-ending ACL injury last Sunday. Quarterback Tyler Huntley, who has a shoulder injury, was placed on injured reserve, sidelining him for at least four games.
The Dolphins will need to clear another spot on the 53-man roster to activate Tua Tagovailoa from injured reserve on Saturday. Tagovailoa was listed as questionable on Friday’s injury report only because that’s the rule for players coming off IR. He will play on Sunday.
Besides Sieler, cornerback Kader Kohou (neck) also was listed as out. Cornerback Storm Duck (ankle) is listed as doubtful.
Outside linebacker Emmanuel Ogbah (bicep), safety Jevon Holland (hand) and receiver Jaylen Waddle (quadriceps) have no injury designation and will play Sunday.
Sieler sustained the injury when he was poked in the eye at practice on Thursday. It hasn’t been determined how long he will be out or if surgery will be needed.
Dickerson, who went undrafted out of UCLA in 2018, has appeared in 36 NFL games over the past five years -- for Tennessee, Atlanta and Kansas City -- and has 42 career tackles and three for loss.
The 28-year-old Dickerson has played 565 career defensive snaps, including 190 in 12 games for Kansas City last season. The Chiefs released him from their practice squad on Aug. 29.
Dickerson, at 6-5 and 298 pounds, is closer to Sieler’s body type than 6-4, 325-pound Patrick Farrell, who is the only other defensive lineman on the practice squad. Both players are options to be elevated for Sunday’s game.
As for Eskridge, he gives the Dolphins another option on returns besides rookie Malik Washington, who is listed on the depth chart as the team’s new primary punt and kickoff return in the wake of Berrios’ injury.
Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Odell Beckham Jr., Washington and Eskridge are now the team’s receivers on the 53-man roster. But Hill isn’t totally healthy because of the foot injury.
Eskridge, a 2021 Seattle second-round pick, caught 17 passes for 122 yards (7.2 average) and averaged 25.3 yards on 18 kickoff returns in three years for Seattle. The Dolphins elevated him twice previously this season and he had one catch for 30 yards and one kickoff return for 28 yards. He also can return punts.
That return ability gave Eskridge an edge over practice squad receivers Erik Ezukanma and Tarik Black.
Meanwhile, quarterback Skylar Thompson said he is fully recovered from his Week 3 chest and rib injuries. He’s in line to back up Tagovailoa on Sunday against Arizona.
MORE SIELER REACTION
Calais Campbell, who has played 56 percent of the Dolphins’ defensive snaps and is rated the No. 7 interior lineman by Pro Football Focus, said he might need to play more in Sieler’s absence, though the Dolphins are vigilant about not playing him too much at age 38 so that they can both conserve and maximize his energy.
“I think I have a few more snaps in me, but I also know I’m limited in how many more snaps I have,” Campbell said. “I’ll tell them if I’m good or if I’m not.”
Da’Shawn Hand, Benito Jones and Brandon Pili also figure to play more in Sieler’s absence.
Sieler has played 79 percent of the Dolphins’ defensive snaps and PFF rates him 17th among 119 defensive lineman; he has 18 tackles, two sacks a fumble recovery and an interception in six games.
Several teammates said Sieler yelled after sustaining the injury during Thursday’s practice.
“He was like, ‘Damn, my eye!’” guard Rob Jones said. “I don’t know what happened.”
No Dolphins volunteered who inadvertently poked Sieler’s eye; guard Liam Eichenberg cracked that “some would say maybe I did, but I didn’t. I told him he could probably be a pirate for Halloween with the eye patch. I didn’t really see it; I just know he was screaming and covered his eye.”
Running back Raheem Mostert said: “I did talk to him and he said he felt good.”
Calais Campbell said of Sieler’s injury: “He was out there today talking and laughing and having a good time. I still haven’t seen the play. It [stinks], but we will be OK. It’s a great opportunity for other guys to show what they can do. But he is a big force in the middle for us and such a smart player and we have a real good chemistry and communication. Get new guys in there, it’s a little bit of an adjustment. But that’s part of football.”
Left tackle Terron Armstead said the risk of linemen sustaining eye injuries in practice is “a real thing. It was incidental for sure. Nobody is trying to go for an eye. Playing fast, playing low, big guys moving around. Zach is one of the best players on the team, one of the best players in the league. It’s definitely unfortunate.”
SMITH’S ROLE
Besides catching 7 passes for 96 yards against Indianapolis, Jonnu Smith also became the first Dolphins tight end to score a touchdown in 23 games and the first FIU alum to ever score a touchdown for the Dolphins.
He was amused to hear the FIU factoid: “Scoring touchdowns for the college and pro programs here in South Florida, it’s a cool stat to claim,” he said. “Scoring in Miami.”
Offensive coordinator Frank Smith said the team has wanted to get Smith more involved.
“For me, in this offense, I’m just getting more comfortable with the timing and kind of expecting the things that [coaches] want in general and specifically from me,” Smith said. “It’s good to be utilized and to showcase my skillset and help us be in the best position.”
THIS AND THAT
▪ Cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who figures to play some in the slot with Kohou out, sounds bullish on cornerback Cam Smith, who was activated from injured reserve this week.
“He’s a baller,” Ramsey said of Smith. “He can do special things.”
▪ With Ogbah back on Sunday from a bicep injury, it will be interesting to see if Mo Kamara will be active or play much behind Ogbah, Tyus Bowser and Chop Robinson. Quinton Bell is also available.
Defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver said Kamara will get more time after he had two pressures on seven pass rushing chances against the Colts.
The feedback Kamara received from coaches on his debut? “Not too bad,” he said. “I did affect the quarterback. I did get my hands on the QB.”
This story was originally published October 25, 2024 at 4:17 PM.
