Dolphins’ McDaniel addresses Chubb status, Sieler news, injuries, more
Dolphins outside linebackers Bradley Chubb and Cameron Goode might return Sunday at Houston if they have a good week of practice and don’t have any setbacks.
Mike McDaniel said he’s “excited” to see both players in their second full week of practice this week. Before last week, they hadn’t practiced since late-season knee injuries last year. Both Chubb and Goode practiced on a limited basis three days last week.
Both remain on the physically unable to perform list, and the Dolphins have another 14 days to activate them. They can be activated off PUP at any time before their 21-day practice window closes.
This week will be “a 100 percent increase in what they’ve done thus far,” McDaniel said. “I’m waiting to see the signs of guys that are unable to tolerate not playing in the games anymore and that they’re ready. Good week of opportunity and observation to get those guys jumping back in. We will let it play out.”
Chubb sustained a torn ACL and an additional undisclosed injury in the Dec. 31 game at Baltimore. Goode sustained a torn patellar tendon in the Week 18 game against Buffalo.
Long snapper Blake Ferguson also must be activated off the non-football/injury list within 14 days to play this season. The Dolphins could activate him for Sunday’s game at Houston (1 p.m., CBS) or could opt to use practice squad long snapper Zach Triner for a final time.
Left tackle Terron Armstead isn’t expected to practice this week, and his status for Sunday’s game is in question. Armstead played only five snaps against the Jets last Sunday before leaving with a knee injury that has troubled him for weeks.
Receiver Dee Eskridge is out this week after sustaining a knee injury, but McDaniel indicated he likely won’t need to go on injured reserve.
McDaniel said the Dolphins emerged from the Jets game without any other significant injuries.
McDaniel addressed other issues:
▪ On defensive lineman Zach Sieler being named AFC Defensive Player of the Week: “He represents a lot of things I firmly believe in. He’s a player that far after he gets done playing will serve an example for the next 20 rookie classes of perseverance of what you can do if you just refuse to give up and attack adversity.
“Week in, week out, he finds ways to make plays. He is a monumental piece for our team. One of the cooler players I’ve ever had the opportunity to coach, quite honestly.”
Sieler had two sacks against the Jets. McDaniel said when he speaks with other coaches after games, they sometimes praise Sieler.
▪ On cornerback Jalen Ramsey being targeted repeatedly against the Jets: “You can lean on his talents in very aggressive ways and sometimes give all help to all others, not just safeties but body position of underneath coverage. Sometimes we believe the defense is best served when he’s on an island.”
McDaniel said that’s “not something a lot of people would ever sign up for. You’re not thinking he’s going to get targeted that much... He’s a very prideful dude... I know we will get the best version of Jalen Ramsey vs. the Texans.”
Ramsey, who has had a very good season overall, allowed six of eight passes thrown in his coverage area to be caught for 146 yards against the Jets. Receiver Garrett Wilson was responsible for four of those catches and 97 of those yards.
