Dolphins’ McDaniel addresses Ramsey, Phillips, Daniels, Hill, more
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said Wednesday that edge players Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb, both coming off major injuries, have been participating in parts of offseason practices, which escalated this week with on-field work.
Right tackle Austin Jackson, coming off knee surgery midway through last season, also has been involved to an extent, the coach said.
But new guard James Daniels, who sustained a torn Achilles’ in Week 4 for Pittsburgh last season, isn’t yet practicing. “James is still working back. I like where he is in his process,” McDaniel said.
The expectation has been that Daniels will be ready for the start of the regular season.
With Phillips and Chubb, “both are able to participate in most things most days, being conscience and using the science of their recovery,” McDaniel said. “You will see them [some days]. There will be a day or two you will have to back off of that. They’re the most excited practice players of all time right now.”
Phillips is coming off a torn ACL last September against Tennessee. Chubb hasn’t played in a regular season games still sustaining serious knee injuries late in the 2023 season against Baltimore.
Speaking before the first of two OTA sessions open to reporters, McDaniel addressed other issues:
▪ Receiver Tyreek Hill, recovering from a second wrist procedure this offseason, “has done a great job being proactive once he got the surgery done and making sure he can do as much as he can with the team.”
He isn’t yet catching passes, but agent Drew Rosenhaus has said on his WSVN-7 segment that he will be ready for training camp.
McDaniel said he knew nothing about a proposed race between Hill and Olympian track star Noah Lyles and declined to say if he will permit that.
▪ McDaniel said “zero has changed since the last time I said anything about” Jalen Ramsey, who is expected to be traded, potentially in the coming weeks.
Trading Ramsey after June 1 will create $10 million in 2025 cap space for the Dolphins, while trading him before June 1 would remove $8 million in 2025 space.
Ramsey isn’t attending any of the team’s offseason activities.
Is McDaniel sad the relationship went sideaways? “I’m very excited to coach a team,” he said. “It’s irresponsible [not] to focus on the players working now and concern myself with that.”
Asked if wants resolution with Ramsey soon, McDaniel said: “I’m just worried about the players on the field today.”
Ramsey on Tuesday posted a countdown of five on social media. That’s the number of days before June 1.
▪ Of the ongoing cornerback competition, McDaniel said: “I want to see them compete and what they do with the opportunity. You have a lot of guys very eager and understanding what the opportunity is.”
▪ Terron Amstead, who is retiring, attended practice as an observer Tuesday. Asked if coaching is in his future, McDaniel said “options are open but he hasn’t nailed down what he wants to do. He’s going through an aggressive lifestyle change. He’s interested and has a passion for football. He retired and is still participating in a voluntary practice.”
▪ The Dolphins placed cornerback Jason Maitre on injured reserve and re-signed former Ohio State cornerback Ryan Cooper Jr.
▪ McDaniel on running back De’Von Achane: “What I’m seeing.. is a guy that wants to take his game to the next level. I see a guy who understands a broader future. He is the first person people have to answer to if they drop the ball or run the wrong route.”
▪ Asked if there’s a particular focus point for Tua Tagovailoa this season, McDaniel mentioned “continuing to take steps” in “how to be the quarterback of the franchise in the appropriate fashion, which he loves attacking.”
This story was originally published May 28, 2025 at 11:54 AM.
