Dolphins’ McDaniel addresses Cracraft, Wynn, Sieler, more issues heading into Bills game
Dolphins receiver River Cracraft, who sustained a shoulder injury in preseason, will begin practicing this week, coach Mike McDaniel said Wednesday.
Meanwhile, McDaniel said defensive lineman Zach Sieler will not need surgery on his fractured orbital bone and there’s at least a possibility he could play Sunday at Buffalo (1 p.m., CBS).
Sieler “is one of several I won’t know at all until closer to the game,” McDaniel said. “He’s doing well. He desperately wants to play in this game. If he can’t, it’s because he’s unable to.”
Meanwhile, safety Jevon Holland, who sustained a knee injury against Arizona, will not practice Wednesday but has not been publicly ruled out for Sunday.
“He’s living here, trying to get right to make himself available for this game,” McDaniel said. “For the season, I’m not really concerned. It’s not major.”
Cracraft’s return to practice on Wednesday began the traditional 21-day clock for players who are designated to return from injured reserve. By the end of the 21 days, Cracraft must be activated or otherwise would miss the remainder of the season. He’s expected to be activated at some point.
Cracraft would be the third Dolphins player designated to return from injured reserve, joining quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and cornerback Cam Smith. Teams can bring as many as eight players back off injured reserve during the season.
Receiver Odell Beckham Jr. guard Isaiah Wynn and linebacker Bradley Chubb do not count among those eight because they began the season on the physically unable to perform list.
Beckham returned earlier this month and has no receptions in three targets and 33 offensive snaps in three games.
Chubb’s return is not considered imminent, McDaniel has suggested. He’s not yet ready to begin practicing.
And Wynn, who sustained a lower body injury while working back from last October’s quadriceps injury, is not yet ready to begin practicing but “is doing well,” McDaniel said, adding that his timetable to return is undetermined.
As for Cracraft, he will provide a lift to the Dolphins’ backup receiver group that plays behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Excluding Hill and Waddle, no Dolphins receiver has more receptions than Dee Eskridge’s two.
Beckham -- the most qualified for the No. 3 receiver role -- is making progress, McDaniel said.
“You’re clear on how the third wide receiver can add value,” McDaniel said. “Odell, coming back from the offseason and the [knee] procedure, and having one game under his belt with Tua, it was a step in the right direction. It doesn’t show up in the box score. He attacked his responsibilities the best since he’s been here.”
McDaniel addressed other issues:
▪ He expressed disappointment in the 2-5 start and said he must “get guys collectively to play their best football and find the individuals who have the most growth available to their game.”
He cracked that “people don’t hire people for the high fives” but for substantive things that he’s focusing on.
▪ McDaniel, on Buffalo, which has won 12 of its past 13 games against the Dolphins: “The Bills thrive on other peoples’ mistakes. They are challenging you to do right longer.”
▪ On the Bills defense, which has had success against Miami in many of the games: “They have strong reasoning to the defenses they run. They know when to take a chance and when it’s best served to play the percentages and make offenses earn it.”
