Dolphins’ McDaniel rules one starter out Sunday, addresses status of Waddle, Brooks, more
The Dolphins will be without starting inside linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. on Sunday but Mike McDaniel sounded cautiously optimistic on Jaylen Waddle and very optimistic about linebacker Jordyn Brooks playing in Cleveland (4:05 p.m., CBS).
Walker is dealing with a knee injury that surfaced this week. Duke Riley or Tyrel Dodson are available to replace them. As for the other inside linebacker spot... Brooks, who left the 49ers game with knee and quadriceps injuries before returning late in the game, is on track to play Sunday; McDaniel expressed optimism about that.
Waddle missed last Sunday’s game against the 49ers with a knee injury but was a limited participant in Thursday’s practice. McDaniel implied he would be listed as questionable for the game. But McDaniel also said he’s “optimistic about Jaylen because of the way he goes at it and I know he will play if he’s able to. As of right now, I would say there would be [a] questionable” designation.
Meanwhile, safety Jordan Poyer -- who didn’t practice on Thursday because of a knee and finger injuries -- was set to practice Friday and McDaniel said that “will give me optimism” about his availability for Sunday’s game.
On the offensive line front, left tackle Terron Armstead - who missed a game with a knee injury but returned against the 49ers - is on track to play through the knee issue on Sunday.
McDaniel said he’s optimistic about Armstead playing Sunday “because he’s Armstead and coming off a very good game. He’s going to do anything and everything” to play.
Asked if he would love to have Armstead back next season, McDaniel indicated yes: “What a huge piece of our team he is in terms of where he started off and where our mindset is. There are some decisions he has to make.”
Armstead is under contract for 2025 but with a significant cap hit ($22.1 million) and salary ($13.3 million), which likely would require a restructuring if both parties decide that he will return.
McDaniel addressed other issues on Friday:
▪McDaniel said Tyreek Hill -- who said he will continue to play through a torn ligament in his wrist -- had “phenomenal week” of practice, especially “the way he attacked the ball. He was catching a ton of footballs and doing so aggressively.”
▪ McDaniel said he and general manager Chris Grier agreed to release Shaq Barrett to sign elsewhere because “it didn’t present a competitive disadvantage for us. So it made sense.”
This story was originally published December 27, 2024 at 11:50 AM.
